Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-28

America into association with the lead
ing world powers by gradual stages. The
theory Of procedure is In direct contrast
with the effort by Mt. Wilson 10 Join the
republic in relationship antagonistic TO
its racial policy. In no Instance would
the present effort contemplate involving
the United States III political commit
meuts which clashed with the views or
the Senate. America would be asked
simply TO participate in decisions affect
ing her own rights and interests.
The questions confronting the Prcsi-
dent, his Secretary Of State and the
chairman Of the Committee on Foreign
Relations are these:
Is the covenant with Japan. France
and Great Britain to safeguard peace
in the Pacific 10 be followed by similar
commitments wherever the United States
Is recognized as having special interests
France is likely To present such an
issue. so long as II remains profitable
for her policies to capitalize American
British refusal of a territorial guarantee
into Justification of her military cstab-
Hshment to overrawe Germany.
Mr. Harding has bur slight chance of
escape from sOmerSaIlt on the question
OF American participation i'm the repa-
ratious c1mmission--the most powerful
postwar economic body in Europe. lie
took bold stand Tor the Fail amend
meuts-propo sed 10y the new Secretary
of the Interior-to keep America OF tn
Preparations and all other boards and
commissions set up for administration
of the treaty of Versailles. All the cur
rent opinion tends 10 the conviction that
America can no longer adhere 10 her
policy of having MIR. Boynton sit only
as an observer.
MAY TRY TO WIN
OVER SENATE.
SO far has the discussion Of American
participation in the eccnomics-WhIch
means the politics of Europe, proceeded,
that Senator Lodge is said to have con
fided to some Of his intimates cam
pafru of education should be undertaken
TO persuade the Senate of the economic
necessity and political propriety OF such
q step. Some American business men
who have run headlOng into the power
of the Preparations commission in their
seeking after trade, are counted to aid
the Administration.
1t is believed the French and British
already have sounded administration
opinion relative to an invitation to par
ticipation in a European conference,
plans for which are to be drawn at the
Cannes meeting Of the supreme council,
and. Furthermore, there is every reason
to believe the Harding Administration
will accept the invitation and name
mission, headed most likely by Am
bassad0r Harvey.
The economic conference, as outlined
by officials here, would 20 far beyond
the scope Of any mere debating society.
1t would be the most important gather
ing of nations since the Paris confer
ence. 1t would bring in every important
power. 1t would undertake to commit
governments to definite policies instead of
spinning pretty theories as to what must
be done American participation would
constitute the broadcast step toward assO-
citation with the nations of Europe In
things which really count since the Sen
ate voted to reject the treaty Of Yer
sailles.
HARDING MEMBER
OF OLD SCHOOL.
President Harding's current state of
mind with respect to the economic con
ference is one Of entire consistency with
his Senate principles. lie has sym
pathy with the business men of the
Eastern Seaboard of America who look
TO Europe for many economic assurances.
He is ready to cOncede the economic and
industrial situation in Europe has an in
innate relationship WITH lndl Oh the
United States. However, Mr.. Harding be-
longs to the old school Of protective Re
pubIicanism AMI believes American pros
perity comes from within rather than
from without.
Mr. Harding is not averse TO recOgniz-
ing the economic relationship with Eu-
rope. but he doubts whether this Nation
can cure Europe's ills He is willing that
America should be helpful but he thinks
the Europeans must first Of all help
themselves. For those reasons, he re-
CARDS an economic conference as essen
TALLY the business of Europe, that it is
not the business Of this country to init
ate fiscal reformation, even though it
might aid.
Following the same thought to more
general conferences. that the one now
drawing to a conclusion is in the same
principle Of more widespread commit
ments- There are many who believe the
limitation of armament conclusions of the
Washington conference will be confined
to that on capital ships and the ten-year
holiday. That, il is felt, would make the
conference a success. Other nations of
Europe are TO be called In with respect
TO a new code Of international law re-
s0scting the abolition of the submarine