The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-17
THINKS HARDING
 FOR RATIFICATION
 MINUS THE LEAGUE
Tardieu Declares America Can not Repudiate Principles for Which She Fought and
 Which Treaty includes
By ANDRE TARDIEU Former Head of French. High Commission

Hardfng's address to Congress than most of his countrymen. He does not dinguise some disappointment that Amerfca has turned her back on the League of Nations, but he reads in MR. Hardtng's words commitment of America to the high principles ex- pressed in going to war. Because of his long residence in the United States, M. Tardieu writes with confidence of the American point of viewJ.
 Paris, April 16.-(Special. )--Presi- dent Harding's address to Congress easily dominates the events of the week. Although the complete text of the message is still lacking, reports agree as to most of the essential points-conclusio of an early peace with Germany, flat rejection of the covenant of the exicting League of Nations, confirmation by treaty of the rights acquired by the United States under the treaty of Versailles, with certain reservations.
 As viwed here the practical upshot of what the President says is an ap- parent desire for the ratification of the present treaty minus the League of Nations and certain provisions con nected herewith.
 If, as was reported here, this pro- gramme caused surprise, it shows the Presidents hearers failed to consider sufficiently that element of human decisions which an Italian poet has called Forces of Destiny.' I know President Harding, and I knew Presl- dent Wilson. cannot imagine two men more different, not only in polti- cal creeds but in character and mental habits.
 Despite these differences there are facts to which both must yield. One IS that the United States cannot repu- diate the great principles for which 1t made war and which were written into the treaty of peace.
 SIMPLE SOLUTION
 The Knox resolution, standing alone. would have meant such a repudia- ton, Or at least would have create that impression. Please remember that having lived in America during the entire time the United States was at war. l realize perfectly the practical cnos the resolution aims at. It is convenient method of ending numer ous laws enacted for the duration of the war. The repeal of this lerisla u. Knox resolution Is a simple solution; hence it's favorable reception in many quarters.
 But the Knox resolution. unaccom- panied by statement of American policy by the executive of the United States, would have been dangerous. eFno french public opinion s happy to note that the administration perceived that fact
 The recent note of the American See rstary of State, MT. Hughes, announced that the United States did not intend 70 denounce any of it's rights ac cured hy participation In the war. and tnis attitude, the French think. is per- iscsy legitimate in principle But dividuals. are established in con tracts, and in this case the contract is the treaty of Versailles.
 RECOGNIZED BY HARDING
 Fresident Harding recognizes this ;, he says: "nen
 It would be idle to declare for sen- .fate peace treaties with the central
 ls on the assumption that these 1ivne would be adequate because the situation Is so involved that opr nssca ensa eements cannot ignore the old world relationship and the settlements already effected, nor it is des;rahls 70 do so in preserving our own rirhts ships. feiaioh-
 The wiser course would seem to De the acceptance of the confirmation of our rights and interests as airsa6n provided and to engage under inc a~. mHng treaty, assuming. of courAe tha+ tnis can be satisfactorily accomniishe al Dy such explicit reservations ana
 ouAic@tions as will secure our abso- lute freedom from inadvisable com. mitments and safeguard all our es- sential interests"
 COUNT ON U. S. AID
 nAve said' and repeat, that Trance counts upon the United states Tor help in realizing that all ths United States today. as yesterday. recoxnisss as just and necessary. This applies particularly to the clausea re- curing the conquered asxressor in the war to repair the ruins he wrought
 On the other hand. by accepting the general principles of the treaty. omit tinS oniy the programme embodied in tho covenant of tho League of Ma tions. the United States insists upon It's rights which accrue from these general principles and thereby &C., cepts the duties also. Thus solidarity 1s maintained on all essential points ana Germany will understand thas certain hopes she entertained were Illusions. The United States policy finds in President Harding's message It's pre- NEnanary definition. It will be de- Soioped only in deeds. There is no use eouceAling the fact that France great Y would have preferred the pure and simple ratification of the treaty of Versailles. But .n politics it is vaii.. Q regret or to recriminate. The United States Is master of it's own peaiciee- It has chosen and that is it's oWn business. What concerns France, A her own interest, and in the inter- ct of European peace. is that ths American policy. whatever it's theo- retical definition. brings its practical aid to the three great principles of security. restitution and reparation. for which the allies fought 52 months. 0Seve decisions regarding Germany nust be reached within the next few days. It is with these decisions in mind that France expresses hope that the United States will in its own way continue in peace the great work of Justice it began in war.
 Aids In Boil Weevil Fight Hs1ntpviue, April l6.-(Speciai.)--J O EAylor of the United States departmnet q Agriculture ia here on bol weeyil 9mveGt4e&tcn work and 10 instruc<ing the Q-- VI