New-York tribune., 1921-03-17
Jusserand Notifies Presi-
dent Viviani Is Coming
to u. S. to Take Up
Association of Nations
Campaign Pledge
Fully Borne Out
Visit of Former French
Premier May Be Fol
lowed by British Envoy
By Carter Field


WASHINGTON, March 16.-The first
formal step toward The association Of
nations with which President Harding.
hopes to replace the present League of
Nations was taken to-day. This was
when Ambassador Jusserand, Of France.
called on the President to inform him
officially that Rene Vivani, former
premier Of France, would arrive here
early In April on special mission
In passing it might be said that this
was very proud day in President Har-
ding's life, though he expressed no pub
nc Jubilation and though no particular
optimism seemed to be reflected from
the Executive Offices. Last October at
Greencastle, Ind, Mr.. Harding told
an audience from the rear of his
special campaign train that oesnite
democratic sneers at the very idea of
me powers heirg willing to abandon
me present league and consider some
tnlhg new aud American, he knew the
European nations would be willing "a
discuss it. Mr.. Harding declared then
mat nc mad already been approached
ii;ifo'ma!ly on the subject bv the
French.
That speech by Nh. Harding brough+
an immediate clamor. President VII.
son wired Air. Harding demanding to
know II any official overture had been
made 70 "private citizen" Governor
Cox gave out q rather humorous com
ment
r, hut to-day that statement of Nj
harding was substantiated He has
won the preliminary step OF the fight
on which both political parties cen
tered their oratory during the cam
paign.
|iviani to Discuss Association
Niyiani Will take up. on his visi. to
the White House and in his discussions
winch viii come Immediately there
after, with Secretary OF State Hughes
Chairman Henry Cabot Lodge of the
senate Foreign Relations Committee.
and other Republican leaders to be
designated by President Harding. the
"a, ldea OF "a new association of nations
There are some here VINO think that
he viii make final appeal for Amer
lca's entry, on her own terms, into the
League of Nations. This view IS not
shared by those who seem to have
President Harding's confidence. and it
is not shared by diplomats. TO matter
how friendly to the present league. who
have studied Mr.. Hardng's inaugural
address.
The inaugural address is mentioned
not because it differed radically or al
all IN this respect from Mr.. Narding's
utterances during the campaign but
simply because official Washington, and
especially displomatic Washington
rl Il l,lV
the exact wording and meaning of A
statement by the President of the
United States than it does to any Ut
terance Of a candidate for that office
when on the stump.
League Barred by Harding
In that address Mr.. Harding made it
perfectly clear that this nation would
never. with his permission. Join the
league. He made it clear that this
nation would never join, with his as
sent, any association of nations which
BY any sort of action could deprive this
country OF the final right to determine
It's course of action in any specific case
which might arise, entirely unshacklcd ID
By any obligation entered into in ad-
vance.
1t is known here that .he men CON
trolling at present the governments of
France and Great Britain have studied d
carefully the words OF Mr. Harding on
tnat occasion, and it is known that the
British. ut least, have known for some
time that the temper OF the United
States Senate is such that no other
course would be open 30 the Presiden.
even if he should so desire.
TO Take Up Reparations Terms
SO the best opinion in Washington is
that Niviani is coming to discuss not
the league but the roposed associa-
tloA Of nations and that his chief de
sire is to effect some speedy arrange
ment, perhaps in advance Of the forma-
tion Of such an association, whereby
this country will assent 20 reparatlons
terms for Germany and give some
kind Of guaranty for the defense Of
France against invasion, in lieu of the
treaty which President Wilson brought
, home under which Britain and This
country would have assumed tha!
guaranty.
1t is thought th&t Viviani also hopes
to obtain the moral sanction. at least
Of this government in its seizure of
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