The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-04-13
EDITORIAL
COMMENT
ON MESSAGE
Little Surprise at Stand Of
President Manifested
in France.

Paris, April 13.-Cable extracts
of the address of President Harding
before the United States congress
yesterday arrived here too late and
were too brief to permit this morn
1ng's newspapers to comment on
1t editorially. The prominence CIV
en- Mr.. Harding's message, however,
showed the importance attached to
it in this city.
"Pertinax," political editor of the
Echo d'Paris, was the only editor
ial writer to have something to say
regarding the message.
There is no longer any doubt as
to the policy the new American
president and his advisers intend
to pursue" he remarked. 1T was
not generally expected that Mr..
Harding would announce immedi-
ately his desire to see the theoretic
state of war with Germany ended.
France for the last two years has
been consistently mistaken about
America. Shall we now send men
to Washington capable of enlight-
ening and defending u.s."
The writer asserted the last
phrase was not meant as a refer
ence to former Premier Viviani
who he declared had done his
best" -
Little surprise with the text 81
the message was expressed by
newspapers issued here today al
noon.
There is no occasion for US eth.
er to light bonfires in celebration
or be alarmed, for if the president
is reserved. American public opin.
ion is much less 80. In all quar-
ters Of the United States the people
are showing a sincere desire no,
to hinder France
Information. missed In the mes.
sage the great Inspiration which
sometimes vibrated in Presiden,
Wilson's public utterances, an.
which may be found in the speeche.
with which former Premier Vivian
is galvanizing American opinion.
The newspaper warned the pub
lie against accepting any indiyid'
ual as the spokesman of Americans
but urged the most frank and cor
dial relations with the Unitel
States, adding:
"Franco-American friendship i!
the surest foundation of worlt
peace"
Approve Message.
Washington, D. c., April 13.-Re
publican senate leaders continued
their general expressions OF ap
proval today Of President Harding
unequivocal declaration in his mes
sage to congress that the Unitet
States could have no part in tn
Versailles League Of Nations an;
also his declaration favoring ter
mination of the state of war b,
congressional resolution. In a for
NAL statement after the reading o
the message. Senator Lodge sail
he was extremely pleased" BY i
while Senator johnson of Californi;
and Borah Of Idaho. leaders Of tn
"Irreconcilables," also expresses
qualification, although stating the,
| were doubtful that the Versatile
treaty could be in any shape &C
ceptable for ratification, a possibil
ity suggested by the president.
Buenos Aires. April 13.-Prais
for the frankness, sincerity and re
spect with which President Hard
ing in his message to the Unite
States congress yesterday rejecte
the League Of Nations is voiced b
La Razon OF this city. Mr.. Hard
ing's program is described as tn
practice of shirt sleeve policies
but the newspaper sees only sell
| interest in the future internatfona
policy of the United States.
As Viewed by John Bull
| London. April 13. - Presiden
Harding's message to congress Wa
received too late for editorial com
ment in this mornings newspaper
although summaries Of the messas
appeared in their columns, crowd
ed otherwise with news Of the crit
ical industrial situation. The ed
torial writer's Of the afternoo
| journals, however, had opportunit
to study the message. and they d.
vote considerable attention to thos
paragraphs dealing with the Leagu
Of Nations and Americas foreig
relations in general.
The Westminster Gazette pay
especial attention to the declars
ton in the message Of America
intention to have NO part in th
existing League Of Nations.
I'VE have no reproaches to offs
for that abstention." 1t says, "by
America cannot have matters bot
ways. She can not abstain and the
complain that the victors hav
made of the league something OF!
er than America would have had
The 'compacts OF amity.' the a
sociation to promote peace. are e.
cellent enough as evidences ,
Americas good will. but they for
no adequate substitute for Il
league a. 1t might have been hs
America willed it 50"