Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-14
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

President Harding's message to
Congress outlined nothing in the way
Of policy which had not been fore
seen. Some weeks ago it was evil
dent that he had been able to find no
way in which to adopt or adapt the
League covenant. Wilson's endeavor
TO so shape the League and treaty as
to make them inseparable seems to
have been about the only completely
successful thing he accomplished
while at Paris.
The Presidents allusion to this is:
"Manifestly the highest purpose of
the League Of Nations was defeated
in linking it with the treaty of peace
and making it the enforcing agency
of the victors of the war" When one
considers some Of the selfish schemes
under the head of mandates which
certain of the victors of the war wish
to enforce, even those who originally
favored the League covenant-some
of them at least-will rejoice that
this country is not placed under
obligations to sustain them.
1t has long been quite evident that
this country cannot if it would, avoid
obligations with respect to that vic
tory. This administration is already
squarely on record with respect to
the mandates, that it is entitled to
consideration in the disposal of the
spoils of the war, even though it
asks none for itself. The President
definitely points out that 1--WE cannot
ignore the Old World relationship
and the settlements already effected"
That from the Covenant something
substantial for the improvement of
our foreign relations may not be had,
however, is scarcely conceivable.
Indeed President Harding declares in
favor of acceptance of the con-
firmation of our rights and interests
as already provided and to engage
under the existing treaty, assuming,
of course. that this can be success
fully accomplished by such explicit
reservations and notifications as
will secure our absolute freedom
from inadvisable commitments and
safeguard all our essential inter-
ests"
Here it is, that one might wish to
learn what program he has in mind.
1t is not required, however, that he
should at this time reveal it to con-
gress. He is the negotiator.a It is
his prerogative, as it is his RESPONSE
bility, to formulate it. 1t will be the
responsibility. of congress later.
President Harding sees clearly the
line between the executive and the
legislative. But a natural curiosity
will not be satisfied until a definite
program is laid down for all to con-
slider.
He favors a declaratory resolu-
ton by congress to establish a tech
nical peace without further delay,
apparently seeing no occasion for
longer delaying the matter, it being
his opinion that such an action on
our part could not be Interpreted as
in any sense a disregard of the in
terests of our allies.
The President recognizes the obli-
cations of the government at WASH
ington to do all within it's power to
relieve the railroad emergency. eff
we can have it understood" he says,
that congress has no sanction for
government ownership, that congress
does not levy taxes upon the people
to cover deficits in service which
should be self-sustaining, there will
be an avowed foundation on which
to rebuild" This does not signify
that this administration will yield to
a mandate from either party to the
controversy, that it win firt with
Plumb plans. that it will ignore eff
forts being made to so reduce the
condition of the railroads as to hurry
them into government ownership, fix
salaries by vote Of congressman and
tax the public to make good the
deficit. Quite the contrary. 1.-THE
public which pays is the public to be
served" And the public which pays
is a large one, for railroad securities
are now chiefly in the hands of the
public, a fact arrangements, as well
as railroad brotherhoods, will do well
to consider. Our present national
administration is considering it.
The message is especially clean cut
in respect to it's economic policies.
Current expenses of approximately