Evening star., 1921-03-18
PRESIDENT TAKES
OPEN-M|ND STAND
|NFORE|CN POLICY
Prepared to Consider Plans
for Cooperation, Which
Might Include League.
OPPOSES OBLIGATION
TO ENFORCE TREATY
Suggested Separation of Covenant
From Peace Measure Would
Eliminate Article K.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE,
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Although President Harding and
Secretary of State Hughes are pro-
ceeding cautiously in matters OF for
eign policy, the attitude of the new
administration has been made sum-
ciently clear to enable the writer to
outline today some Of the main points
in the conversations which have been
begun with foreign governments. and
which probably will reach the def
mite stage of negotiations after Rene
Viviani, former premier of France.
has visited the United States.
Indicates Open Mind.
!. President Harding has indicated
to his cabinet. as well as to those for
eign governments with which his ad-
ministration has been Informally in
communication, that he is open mind
ed and ready to give serious consid-
GRAFTON to any plan for international
cooperation. co either including or ex-
cluding the present league of nations.
but in harmony with the general poll /
ces and traditions of the United
States.
- Tentatively. the Harding admin
stration seems to favor the idea OF
separation of the covenant from the
treaty of Versailles. not necessarily
by the drafting of new treaty or -
new association of nations, but by
eliminatin SO far as the United states
is concerned. all obligation 10 enforce
the treaty of Versailles.
Vie - Q
ious to see the enforcement clauses OF
the peace treaty kept free from the
league or association of nations. As
one member of the Harding cabinet
expressed il 10 the writer. the ideal
situatio would be one in which the
league of nations had no more direct
connection with the treaty OF Ver-
allies than any treaty which may be
made between the United State and
China or Japan.
yribunaI for AIpeals.
In other words. the league would
be a tribunal to which appeal could
be made in the event that disputes
of a political or judicial character
arose between nations, but then every
power would stand on an equal foot
ing and would have complete liberty
Of action. whereas today the league
of nations is composed OF govern
ments. some of which were neutral
during the last war or which. like
the United States. are not anxious to
participate in the actual enforcement
of the treaty, because IL involves SO
many local European tangles. or
course. il a general conhagration re-
suited, America would come to the
aid Of civilization as she did in 1917.
4. The Harding administration
has made il clear that in all its ne
erf,fi in
agreement with the powers with
which America was associated in the
war and is anxious not to be placed
in any position which might be con-
strued as encouraging the Germans.
especially in view of the trouble the
allies are having at present in en-
forcing the terms of the treaty upon
Germany.
Governments Grati0ed.
For the moment it is enough to say
that foreign governments are grati-
fed with the open-minded attitude
which they find in the Harding adj
ministration. and they feel that both
the President and Secretary Of State
are in a receptive mood and are not
absolutely closed to the idea Of the
present league of nations. if it can be
made to square with the principles of
the new administration here.
Europe. OF course. VIII De lOatn To-
see America withdraw from the en-
forcement clauses of the treaty Of
peace but the Harding administration
believes that as between Americas
moral influence and no cooperation
of any kind from America the Euro
pean governments would rather have
American partnership. i
The plan to separate the covenant
from the peace treaty means mature
ally the elimination of article Y as
well as any obligation to enforce the
terms of the treaty.
This would lead to the setting up OF:
international commissions to admin.
lister the Saar basin and, to handle
reparations and plebiscites. Indeed.
wherever the league was to appoint
the commission such bodies would be
created by the parties signatory to
the Versailles treaty, eliminating the !.
United States. =.
May Expect General Pledge.
Such changes in the covenant would
alter the character of the present
league of nations to a large extent,
though preserving its framework.
Some general pledge that America z
would view with grave concern any
conflict in Europe would probably be
expected by the European bowers as
an assurance against the recurrence
of militarism. OF course. the Euro !
mean peoples are unwilling to believe
withdraw from the treaty of Ver-
sailles itself. and there is no certainty
that European governments will agree
among themselves to tear apart the
treaty OF Versailles so as to make the
changes desired by the United States,
but that. at any rate, is what is in the
air.
Former Premier Viviani does not
come here determined to, press the
treaty upon the Harding administra-
ton He comes politely to present
the compliments of France, and IL .
there is any conversation on the
league question. Il will be after Mr..
Harding or Mr.. Hughes has shown a.
desire to discuss the problem. VI
French officials here make it clear.
that the French government is not
trying to force anything upon Ameri-'
ca, but is more than eager to talk
things over so that careful considera-s ,
ton may be given to the European
by the new administration
here.
Meanwhile. all plans for the pas
sape of the Knox resolution and the
making of separate peace with Ger
many have been temporarily laid
aside. The visit OF NJ. Viviani and
the conversation with foreign goyss>-s
meuts make 1t inadvisable to press.
that resolution until the foreign
policy of the new administrations
shapes itself more clearly and deh-E
nitely. e., .-e y i