The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-07
STATE DEPARTMENT
WOULD ACCEPT THE
SUPREME COUNCIL BID
ny DAVID LAwBENcE.
(Copyriem; 10y tAc lntc,l!gcnccr)

Washington. Ma! 9. -ireSiurnt Hard
~ ard his cah:nn, t.a>e found The
question oc International Cooperation
gain a stumbling block - the unm-
;errupt'd consideration OF domestic AZ
tdIrs. hrrS' il was th- German pro-
roSal that Am"ri"a mediate in the rep
arat:OnS cOulroN rrSy. Now il - the
AlieS who formerly invite tho United
States to'tahe her place beside them II
settling questions growing out OF the
European war.
II IL were not for tho deHcate Src-
uation in the United States senate wh-r"
the factions developed in the tight over
he league Of nations arc Still uur"cUn-
lied. the department OF state would act
without hesitation. Tho invitation:
would be accepted and there would b"
no further ado about 4. But the S"uS.-
Giltties ot tho scnat" must b. taken In
- consideration. The executive branch
~ the government feels il unwlse 10
ride roughSh"d over the folks At tho
other end ct tho avenue because rm-
barrassmrrt would hc bound I" cnSue.
The trouble iS that tho friends Of the
Versailles treaty want America to play
u big part in world affairs and the ma
tionalistS led by Senators Hnrah and
Johnson want america to play prac-
,tcally lone hand. Any moN". even 50
innocuouS as attendance At allied
councils, carries with II an implication
"t worldlineSs which is NOT altogether
IN line with isolation doctrine. That's
whsr" tho rub comes Ai,i th3,:'S why
President IIarding's decision proba aiy
M!,l be Il rompromiS' between tbs tw"
opposing viewpoints. Tbs can he
ACCOMPLISHED by unofficial part'cIpa-
tion in allied conferences when Amcrt-
rsLn ambassadors 81; as observers and
merely report what Is going ~ without
taking action that can possibly COM
init the American cUNcrnment
Ecvcn official rrprc srulat:on n allied
conferences wouldn't mean commitment
rt the American gov ernment. Al tho
uther prime m;niStt rs and foreign MIN
;stcrs can pledge their governments to
courses OF action but an American an
JaSSador can do no NOR" than the state
department tells him 10 d" and the state
department can do no more than con-
sress permits when anything looking
toward expenditure Of funds or military
action is iuTolred.
Senate Has Refused
The senate has refused TO permit
american representation on European
commissions because OF 4 feeling that
such action would Lead To the ratifl-
cation OF the treaty which provides for
such representatives. The President
doesn't need 70 appoint special repre-
Sentativss. however, as he can rSa
American ambassadors who already
have been confirmed BY the senate.
NeverthG less Mr.. Harding IS inclined to
consult the Senatc and proceed with q
feeling ot assurance that the senate
VII not embarrass him boy any move
S,tisa pprovin9 Of American partic:pa-
ton IN allied councils.
want 20 Accept
Tho department OF state wants the
invitation Of the allies accepted because
Il would facilitate ;hc handling or
european affairs and assist IN conSerT-
.nHAmerican rights. Incidentally tho
Status OF Ameica'S foreign policy n the
tbsence OF q decision as TO how the
Versailles treaty shall be modified IS
undergoing on interesting process OF
evolution. First. 4 was made pain
that the United States claimed a voice
N all questions growing out OF the
European war because OF the fact that
America was a party TO the rmestice
ny which the war vas won. Now =
appears that while the principle enuncta-
ted was a broad one the American Ko"-
,rnment intended only l. limited apIica-
lion, Europe was inclined TO tec. that
The request o. the American govern
,nent was " iGc-S%ep!ns and mono OF tho
roplies on tho Iapp question for III
stance specifically accepted Mr. Hughes
doctrine. but merely promised to assent
20 Americas viewpoint OF zap. And
The United StateeS has not sought 10
:, ronstrue the favorable replies OF tho
European governments In the zap
,.ontroyerscry as meaning an acceptance
II the idea of unlimited right OH the
nart Of the Washington government I"
,nsat any decision or settlement made
wv the powers while America was alb
.ent from the councils Of the allies. On
the other hand the significant thing
3. that America now merely insists on
- euuai yoIc. on questions which d.
.act,v afccr, tho United states. such AS
,.:andates N o!i-bearing areas wheT"
,.ocrican capit... : Interested md cable
communications. ~ no other point
ave the decisions Of the allies affected
america hGvcrS".y Therefore the
t:uropcan governments are mercy ASKED
. agree - the prtAc.nal that where 'Hs
interests OF the U3ited states ar" 60
pecially ;-fscc;eG. t&:S government,
shall DC considered as ;Iav:nE an eQNa.
uirc. Sue, = proposition = nos az
rutt for she ALI. = accept ana 'i'aeFu
: a compru;l.S" between ;"e extreme
interpretation wh.'h ;he European press
promptly gave 'h- .Nrlrr!cta 1ote ara
Ne desire of IN" United States TO re-
cpvcr~AS murl, 'uSt S"oHaG ;sS possible
through Americas Failure 20 ray t"e
rc;lty cf Versailles.