The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-04-15
Harding Favors An Asso-
citation of Nations
STANDS BY THE ALLIES
In Dealing With Central Powers
War Co-Workers Must Not
Be Forgotten


lions committee were called into con-
Harding while he was reading the
final proof of his first message which
he was to read to congress in per-
SON at one p. m.
The conference lasted an hour and
none or the senators participating
would discuss what had transpired.
1t was learned, however, that no cor
rections were made in the presidents
message after the final proof went
back to the printer.
1t was learned that approximately
one fourth of the message is devot-
ed to a discussion of foreign affairs
and the League of Nations among the
senators who conversed with the
president appeared satisfied with
what the message contained on the
subject.
Turns Back On League of Nations.
President Harding in mis- message
to be read today to congress declares
for peace by congressional resolution
and turns his back irrevocably on
the League of Nations, according to
republican members Of senate foreign
relations committee with whom he
discussed his message at the white
house this morning. The time has
come, the senators quote the mes
sage as saying for the world to un-
derstand that the United States does
not propose to become a party to
any such military alliance as the
League of Nations proposes.
The president it was said, did not
present his plan for a new associa-
ton Of nations to preserve peace, but
said that he had the matter under
consideration and hoped to be able to
work out a plan. Republican lead
ers said Senator Knox of Pennsyl-
vania would offer in a day or two his
peace resolution amended to include
a declaration of policy that the Unit
be again threatened, would act as it
had in the World war.
The president was said to make 1t
clear that he spoke in opposition to
the present league. The message
was quoted as saying the executive
wanted it definitely understood that
the United States would not enter
this league upon any terms, regard
less of any notifications or amend
ments. The president summoned tt :
republicans of the foreign relations
committee to the white house for a
final discussion of the portions of his
address dealing with foreign rela-
tions. One senator declared that it
was "pre- eminently satisfactory" to
all senators, who attended the con-
ference.
President Delivers Message
President Harding in his first ad-
dress to congress, today, announced
that he would approve "declaratory
resolution" by congress with qualifi-
cations essential to protect all our
rights" which would end the tech
nical state of war against the Gen.
trail Powers Of Europe" The presi-
4
be idle to declare for separate trea"
: ties of peace with the Central pow
ers on the assumption alone that
these would be adequate because
the situation is so involved that our
peace engagements cannot ignore
the old world relationships and the
settlement already effected, nor is
it desirable to do so in preserving
our own rights and contracting our
future relationship"
Although declaring unreservedly
against 'the existing League of Ma
tions," the president said: 1.-The
wiser course would seem to be the
acceptance Of the confirmation of
our rights and interests as already
provided and to engage under the
existing treaty. assuming, of course,
that this can be satisfactorily achiev-
ed by such explicit reservations and
notifications as will secure our alb
solute freedom from inadvisable COM
munities and safeguard all our es-
sential interests.
1.-THE association of nations" the
president said, could not be founded
until the world was at peace.
Text of The Message
Following a custom inaugurated by
George Washington, abandoned by
Thomas Jefferson and revived by
Woodrow Wilson, President Harding
delivered his first message to con-
gress today in person. The two
houses assembled in joint session in
the house chamber to hear the exc
cutive outline his views with regard
to the many domestic and foreign
problems pressing for solution. Pres
ident Hardings principal recommen-
dations to congress in his first an
nuaI address delivered today includ
ed the foreign relations:
No separate peace treatieS~w with
the Central powers ION the assump-
ton alone that these would be ade-
quate. The wiser course would seem
to be to engage under the existing
treaty, assuming of course, that this
can be satisfactorily accomplished by
such explicit reservations and modi-
fications as will secure our absolute
freedom of inadvisable commitments
and safeguard all our essential in
terests." mo helpful society Of ma
tions can be founded in justice and
committed to peace until the coven-
ants re- establishing peace are sealed
by the nations which were at war;
Reports On Taxation
Readjustment of internal taxes and
revision or repeal "of those taxes
which have become unproductive
and are SO artificial and burdensome
as to defeat their own purpose"
Instant tariff enactment, "emer
gency in character and understood
by our people that it is for the emer-
gency only"
Question Of Railroads
Efficient operation, Eat cost within
that which the traffic can bear"
Railway rates and costs of operation
must be reduced" "The remaining
obstacles which are the heritance Of
capitalistic exploitation must be re-
moved and labor must join the man
agement in understanding that the
public which pays is the public to be
served and simple justice is the
right and will continue to be the
right of all the people"
The Strengthening of laws govern
ing federal aid for good roads.
Merchant Marine.
The Tinted States means IN tah-