South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-13
ISSUES FINAL
REJECTION OF
LEAGUE PACT
Harding Declares u. S. Will
Have No Part in Existing
League of Nations.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE oNE.)

I CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE)
the presidents requests, and within
an hour after he had finished speak
ing. the house ways and means CON-
mittee agreed TO report wednesday
the emergency measure, passed at
the last session and vetoed by Pres't
Wilson. For the permanent tariff
bill that is TO be framed later, Mr..
Harding made no specific Suggestions
except that it follow the principle
OF protection.
Similarly. the president refrained
I from. detailed recommendations on
7 taxation contenting himself with a
/ general discussion OF the situation
with an added reminder that his
\ party pledged itself in the last cam
+ paign TO repeal the excess profits
tax. He also recalled the campaign
promise 20 organize a separate gov
\ eminent OF public welfare, but made
/ no recommendation whether a cabi-
net official should be placed at its
\ head
Declaring that taxes and operating
/ expenses of the railroads must be
| lowered. Mr.. Harding asked that
/ congress investigate the whols
| transportation problem. Tie recon-
mended coordination Of all govern
mental agencies dealing with former
service men, strengthening OF the
/ federal laws affecting highway con-
struction and maintainence, enact
ment OF budget legislation and a
congressional inquiry into lynching
and race relations in general.
stand No Surprise.
Mr.. Harding's definite stand
against the league covenant was not
a surprise TO republican leaders OF
the senate although the exact word
ing OF the declaration was an un-
settled question until shortly before
the executive left for the capitol TO
deliver his address. The first draft
OF the manuscript was completed
soon after midnight, and when the
proof sheets came from the public
| printer Tuesday morning, the pres
ident cancelled the regular Tuesday
cabinet meeting and summoned re-
publican members of the foreign
relations committee 10 the white
/ house.
In conference with the committee
/ members, the president considered
the foreign relations section of the
address for more than an hour,
! hearing the advice Of mild reserva-
| tionists as we'll as irreconcilables be-
fore finally putting his manuscript
into his rocket for the ride TO the
capitol. without exception the
senators present expressed afterward
their satisfaction with the presi-
dents views. though there was
wide divergence Of views amonS
them regarding the likelihood of an
early ratification Of the Versailles
treat with the league and other
portions permitted.
In his address Tuesday he did no.
specifically declare his intention to
do so, merely saying that in refer
ence TO the treaties with Germany
and Austria "the wiser course
would seem TO be acceptance of the
confirmation of rights and interests
as already provided and to engage
under the existing treaty, assuming,
Of course. that this can be satisfac-
torily accomplished by explicit res
ervations."
Merely Suggested Course.
BY some senators the words Of the
| president were taken to mean that
his mind still was open on the
question of reserved ratification and
that he merel suggested that
course as preferable to a separate
peace The points stressed by him
in that connection and emphasized
recently in other administration
quarters, was that the United
States must fird some way 10 reach
| a diplomatic agreement with both
/ Germany and the allies which would
fully protect such advantages az
this government gained under the
unratified pact of Versailles.
In his endorsement Of the peace
declaration. the president expressed
disapproval Of the proposal of some
senators TO attach to the declaratorv
resolution general expression Of
the American governments policy
toward future European wars.
This proposal has taken various
forms. but the amendment most
favored in recent discussion would
declare that if European peace and
civilization again were threatened
the United States would regard IL is
a menace TO its own safety and
would take steps TO prevent a world
catastrophe.
Sen. Knox republican, Pennsyl-
vania. author of the peace resolu-
ton to be urged by the republican
leaders. indicated Tuesday nigh.
that he was in agreement with the
president and would oppose the
policy declaration.
Mr.. Harding gave congress no
exposition Of his views on the for
nation of an association OF ma
lions. merely renewing in his ad-
dress his pledge 70 work for such an
/ organization with all the diplomatic
means available.