The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-17

lnsszees11M s.zzSs..ez his idea has been
 ROBERT T. for an association
 SMALL with the nations of the world, instead of the nations. An association of nations, which would have to be organized under some sort of covenant, which might, In the end, be open to the same ob- Jeotions as the covenant of Yer sallles. Place the United States into association with the other nations for specific purposes from time to time as occasion arises for that as- sociation is MT. Hardings theory of the proper international role for the United States.
 Not Blow At League
 It IS no part Of the Presidents ambition to overthrow the existing League of Nations. It was neither in his heart nor his mind to aim a piow at the league when he sent out the first "feelers" for the disarma- ment conference. It is the Presidents View that the United States has no interest in the league. If the other nations of the world find comfort and convenience in it, the United States would not deprive them of enc whit of solace or fancied se- curity.
 President Hardings idea of the way to get a thing done is to call together the persons capable of doing it and setting them to their task. He believes that if the great powers invited to the Washington conference can agree upon terms of disarmament the world will conse- quently fall into line. If these prin- cipal powers cannot agree upon sat- isf&ctory terms then the presence of n "a nth |, Ia at the conference could not change the result.
 The call for the conference on disarmament was not the outgrowth oa sudden impulse of MT. Hard fng's nor was it superinduced by the Borah amendment to the naval bill requesting a conference with Great Britain and Japan.
 Of Wide Scope
 Here Harding has held in mind ever since the election the plan he has now placed in operation He was rather annoyed that the matter should have come into controversy in the Senate, and it was because of his own plans on the subject that he at first suggested to sen ators that they might well leave the matter in the hands of the execu- tive. The plans the President was working out called for a conference of wider scope than the one contem plated by Senator Borah.
 MT. Harding specifically outlined his own plans in his inaugural ad- dress little more than four months ago. Washington, 1t must be ad- mitted, has been slow in appreciat- ing the true significance of what the chief executive then said. It was then that he made clear his idea of associating the United States with the other nations rather than going into an association of nations as fixed and continuing organiza- tion. And the first fixed purpose of getting together with the other na- tons was to bring about disarma- ment. The Presidents inaugural words make interesting reading now in the light of the subsequent events. The President had just turned nis back for the third and last time upon the League of Nations and then he said.
 Inaugural Declaration
 "I am sure our own people will not misunderstood nor will the world misconstrue. We have no thought to impede the paths to closer relation ship. We want to do our part in iHdhiHS OlICItSiNc WdTldTc SO HdIeI that governments and peoples who resort to it must prove the right eousness of their cause or stand as outlaws before the bar of civiliza- tfon.
 We arc ready to associate our services with the nations of the world, great and small, for confer ences, for counsel, to seek the ex- pressed views of world opinion; to recommend a way to approximate disarmament and relieve the crush ing burdens of military and naval es. tablishments.
 In expressing aspirations, in seek ing practical plans, in translating humanity's new concept of righteous ness and justice and it's hatred If war into recommendation, we are ready most heartily, united, but every commitment must be made in the exercises of our national sov- ereignty." Ready to Share Burden
 President Harding has wanted the world to understand that the United States is ready and willing to take up it's share of the legitimate bur- dens of civilization and is willing to consult with the other nations at any time consultation is deemed nec- essary. He has wanted the world to know that the United States does not stand aloof and is not selfish. In fact, he believes the unselfishness of the United States is q thing proved
 The President has emphasized time and time again that the United States would be willing to associate with the other nations for counsel. Despite these many statements there still exists the notion that he has had in mind the creation of an asso- ciation of nations in opposition fa