New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-05-21
Ambassadors Statement
Regarding US. Stand ON
League Considered Rei,-
Grating Harding's Views
Democrats Resent
Attack ON Wilson
johnson and Borah De-
clare Address Refresh
ing; Pledge to Britain
By Carter Field

&
By Carter Field
WASHINGTON, May 20.-Presi-
dent Harding was distinctly pleased
to-day over the speech of Colonel
George Harvey, the new Ambassador
to Great Britain, at the Pilgrims
dinner in London last night. Secre-
tary of State Hughes is also known
to approve it. Both the President
and Secretary Hughes, it was said,
had expressed themselves at the Cab
met meeting to-day.
In the Senate the feeling, judging
by expressions obtained, divided
sharply along the old lines, save that
practically all the Republicans since
the election are in hearty accord so
far as scrapping the League of Ma
tions is concerned, and the speech of
Colonel Harvey, therefore, met gen
eral approval.
Democrats Irritated
The Democrats were particularly
irritated over the reference to the
expression ''too proud to fight" re-
garding it as an unnecessary slap at
President Wilson.
ooh, too proud to fight has come
to be an historic phrase" said one of
fetal in discounting the seriousness
of this.
The satisfaction in Administration
circles and among opponents of the
League of Nations in Congress seems
to be based on the thought that now,
at last, perhaps the people in Europe
will accept as inevitable the fact that
this country is not going to join the
league. 1t has been annoying to the
/. irreconcilable element, particularly
in view of the whispers that Mr..
Hughes and Mr.. Hoover might lead
the country toward the League Of
Nations, to have some of the foreign
newspapers comment so hopefully
about this country resuming its seat
on the Supreme Council.
The amazing thing about the whole
situation here to-day is that Colonel
Harvey, so far as his statement about
the League of Nations is concerned, Old
not say anything new at all. As one
high official of the Administration put
it. what Mr.. Harvey said on this point
was merely a paraphrase of what the
President has said several times, in
cluding the statement in his in his
inaugural address.
Bearing on Silesian Problem
The keen interest in what Colonel
Harvey said about the League of Ma
tions, therefore. is due not TO anything
new in his remarks. but TO two other
points one that it brands as untrue
the whisperings that Hr. Hughes and
Mr. Hoover are leading the country by
almost imperceptible steps into the
league, and the other that it again in
forms the people of Europe positively
country, so far as the league is con
cerned.
There is another phase of the situa-
ton 10 which some Importance was at
tached. That is the probable effect OF
the speech on the French in the pres.
ent Silesian controversy. In view Of
the fact that Colonel Harvey is going
to sit on the Supreme Council during
the consideration of the Silesian ques-
ton, although he is to be there on that
occasion as an observer rather than as
q ,E.o.. L.. 4 Il
of strong friendship for the British at
this time is rather significant.
Senate IrreconcilabIes Pleased
Senate irreconcilables were pleased
at the tone of the address and espec-
tally because Colonel Harvey, in Ian
guage whose meaning could not possi-
bly, be mistaken, had once more made
it plain that the United States would
not enter the league.
Under the srrface, irreconcilables
said that beyond question the tone of
Colonel Hawey's utterancAs with re-
spect to American non-participation IL
the league would have soothing effe,.
on the feeling in the Senate in regard
to participation in the Supreme Coun-
Gil and other bodies.
On the other hand, pro- Wilson Sena-
tors were not pleased. The friends of
vic 1SN60S hOh niue IuSlT QlE~
pleasure and had some sharp shings
to say of Colonel Harvey's expressions.
Some OF the Democrats resented whax
they called the filings of Colonel HaE
vey at the former President.
The remarks of Mr.. Harvey, accorA
ing to the Senate view, reflect the sew
timents of the Harding Administrators.
1t is the understanding he has spoken
in accordance with his instructions
from the White House and State De
partment. This tended to give his ut
terances much added significance in the
eyes of the Senate.
Refreshing, Says Johnson
Senator Hiram Johnson said: "Of
course, Colonel Harvey is entirely right
in saying that it would have been be-
trayal of the American people to 20
into the League Of Nations, either di-
rectly or fndirecCty. openly or furtively.
While this is obvious, nevertheless il
is refreshing to have Official eonfirrna3
tion of it. The language is so PLAZA
and unmistakable that no act of this
country can now take uS tnso xha