Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-26
WORLD LEAGUE,
BUT u. S. FREE,
HARDING PLAN
Continued From Page One.)

this new center of world politics prior
to the adjornmen tof the conference That
would permit a hearing of their veiws
to enable the conference to gain from
any constructive suggestions they might
offer
From such a groundwork, the Hard
ing plan would proceed to the erection Of
the framework of a permanent interna-
tional conference. 1t is the Presidents
idea to have interested nations assemble
around a horseshoe table somewhere once
year to talk over the issues and prob
lens and troubles which are making for
misunderstanding and bad feeling among
the peoples of various countries.
BIG SPECULATIVE
FIELD OPENED.
That revelation of the form OF the
Harding Administration proposal to re-
assert for the United States the moral
leadership of the world and TO retain the
political command gaipnA through the
Presidents action in summoning the con-
ference and through Mr. Hughes auda-
cious presentation of the naval scrapping
proposals, opened up q vast field Of
speculation as to Americas next step.
One of the cardinal principles Of the
Harding program is a radical departure
from the theory of the diplomacy of the
past that written alliances and treaties
were necessary among nations.
The President will not countenance
any such departure by America from
the principles of Washington and JEFF
ferson and Monroe He stands squarcly
where he stood in the famous fight Of
the Senate against the League Of Nations
covenant. lie does not intend to embark
on any program of treaties. covenants or
alliances His settlements viii be ground
ed in the honor and integrity of nations
He believes any nation which will not
keep its word Of honor given to another
nation in the form of an informal agree
ment cannot be counted to live up to its
treaty obligations. Therefore he sees no
necessity for the latter.
1t was held to lend color to the sug-
gestion which mas become very insistent
Of late that the President has in mind a
plan to summon to the council table the
principal nations of the world wit ha
view to discussing ways and means of
bringing some sort Of order out of the
choas toward which European finance has
been tending for many months.
WAITS ON
CONGRESS.
1t has been stated here for some days
that once the Administration had OBJ
tanned from Congress through the Mellon
Penrose bill the authority essential to
proper conduct Of the negotiations look
ing to the funding Of the war debts,
some positive action looking to assem-
bling the principal monetary pOwers-in-
Guiding Germany-wOuld be taken.
The matter has been discussed prt-
vately here for some time. All manner Of
suggestions have been forthcoming.
American fiscal experts returning from
Europe 'have stressed the necessity for
constructive action. They have decried
the trust imposed in war hatred as
proper means of forestalling national
bankruptcy in central Europe. Some
have urged Q moratorium for two years.
They have sought to persuade France
her best interests lay in some such
source Others have discussed seriously
the setting up of an international bank
ing organization which might be able to
contribute TO the sterilization Of ex-
change
But whether the second contribution by
Mr.. Harding to adjustment of world
problems under the new leadership in
the United States is to be a financial
loss IS not regarded as more impor-
bv which he would have America assume
proper place among the nations to deal
with political and economic Issues from
which there can be no physical isolation
for this republic.
OPPOSED TO
WILSON LEAGUE.
The President ha snot ventured IN the
slightest from the course he believed best
for the United States in his first address
to the United States Senate in opposition
10 ratification Of the covenant of the
League Of Nations which President VII
son brought back from Paris. II is
identical with what he outlined to those
In his confidence during the campaign
for the presidency. 1t is in accord with
the thought he sought to convey to the
American electorate. but which so many
people insisted on misinterpreting. 1t is
The same idea he unfolded to the late
Senator Philander c. Knox at Marion
when stories reached Washington # was
proposed to use the skeleton OF the
League Of Nations covenant.
The President has not ventured in the
political organization. 1t would differ
fundamentally in that respect from the
League Of Nations. 1t would be even
more of "association with the nations"
than the much talked of association of
nations" In other words, the Harding,
idea-in which Mr.. Hughes is said to
concur most heartily-is that It is not
necessary to erect political organizations
such as the league, or an association, or
what-not, each and all involving some
sacrifice of sovereignty, some binding
political commitments which would not
leave nations free to act always in &C
cord with their own national consciences
and their own individual decision. 1t
would be far more simple to outline and
in operation.
The Harding plan would provide that
instead of the nations Of the world meet
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