Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-05-12
BY EDWARD 8. CLARK.

BY EDWARD 8. CLARK.
Wa>hlnstOn.-If the question wer
not such Il serious one some hume
could lie found in the absolutely dill
1erent interpretations which have beel
put on President Harding's foreign lie
iaIi0hs policy as it was outlined in hi
message 10 congress. Some Republican
hlelIbeiS have said that it iS clarity ii
SELF, while some Democratic member,
have said that they would like to com
hleht on II II they knew what it meant
On tiie.aIterlOOn OF the day the mes
sage Went 10 congress, the headlines
IN tWo Washington newspapers were
NO Separate Peace With Germany
The headlines IN some other papers
published at little distance from the
capital, were "A Separate Peace With
Germany"
IL is true that precious little time
was given headline writer's, or edi-
torlal commenters, between the time
the message was read to congress and
the time of going to press, to get Il
clear understanding of the foreign rela-
lions section of the document. Ii is
only the truth TO say, however, that
even toaFy there are members of con
yress Who declare that they are not
quite cle,lr as to what the future holds
II the administration shall succeed in
carrying out what it outlined, or in
tended 10 outline. as its foreign policy.
The inference seems to be that Presl-
dent Harding desired that the execu-
tive rather than congress shotid deal
with foreign affairs, excepting the reso-
luton to congress declaring that peace
exists with Germany. Naturally il isl
said by some of the Presidents advisers
mat he kept hack the details concern
ing the intentions for the future in or
der that there might be time to study
the whole subject carefully before
making definite pronouncement,
How the Factions View It.
Apparently good many members |
OF congress look on the Presidents |
pronouncement on foreign relations |
from their viewpoint of the days be- |
fore the message was delivered, one
group seeing roseate prospects and an
other group seeing blackness which
shuts out all prospects 50 far Us the
work of help for the world is con
cerned. The statesmen of Europe, if
the press reflects their state of mind,
seem to be thinking things which they
do not like to express out loud.
There is some bumor to be found in
the fact that the sO-called irrecOncil- |
ables of the senate and the recOnciI-
ables seem equally pleased with the
affairs. This is a statement of fact,
not of opinion. 1t was believed in
up to the time that the
message was written that the Presi-
lent would be opposed to a fiat decla-
'atiOn declaring that peace exists be-
ween the United States and Germany.
L Is possible even today that some
hing will lie added to the peace reso-
ution when 1t Is passed which will in
innate that. while the United States
wishes peace to exist, Germany must =
.xpect, If u ever again breaks bounds
Inder militaristic rule, that the Uni +
ed States will act once more just as
I acted In the great war.
Up to the State Department. :
From the message 1t is learned that y
he President wishes that some time
a the future the United States shall
AXE advantage of some of the sections {
( the Versailles treaty OF peace which | !
he allies agreed to, and weave them ,
lto the American policy. 1t is also I
pparent from the message that the :
resident still has in mind an asSocia. I,
eavor along moral and persuasive :
mes To Keep the peace of the world. a
II will be the duty of the State de-
artment from now on 10 evolve \
,mplete foreign policy In keeping with a
le things which the President en-. :,
Favored to outline I'm his message -
early every national legislator who .
rs spoken on the subject agrees that
'me of the Presidents sentences need :,
ucidntlon. The Republicans In con !.
ess seem generally TO agree that Mr.. a
ardng's apparent lack Of ccarneSs =,
one or two cases was intentional. =,
cause he wanted to reserve for the n,
ecutive department the right to act >,
st In foreign affairs and not to give h,
gay its hand in advance. a.
Harding In Many Clubs. IN
ding belongs 70 cl
M