The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-03-19

ious to see the enforcement clauses of the
peace treaty kept free from the league or
association of nations. As one member
of the Harding cabinet expressed 1t to the
writer, the ideal situation would be one
IN which the league of nations had no
more direct connection with the treaty Of
Versailles than any treaty which may be
made between the United States and China
or Japan. In other words, there would
be tribunal to which appeal could be
made in the event that disputes of a pO-
litical or judicial character arose between
nations but then every power would stand
on an equal footing and would have COM
plete liberty of action whereas today the
league of nations is composed of govern
mentS. some of which were neutral during
the last war or which, like the United
States. are not anxious to participate in
the actual enforcement of the treaty be-
cause it Involves 50 many local European
tangleS OF course if n general conhagra-
ton resulted America would come to the
aid of civilization as she did in 1917.
The Harding administration has
made il clear that in all its negotiations
it Is attempting to find agreement with the
powers with whom America was asSO-
cated in the war and is anxious not to be
Strued ~ encouraging the Germans, cS-
pccially in view of the trouble the allies
are having at present in enforcing the
terms of the treaty upon Germany.
foreign governments are gratified with the
Open-mindcd attitude which they find in
the Harding administration and they feel
that both the President and secretary of
state are in receptive mood and are not
absolutely closed to the idea of the present
league of nations if it can be made TO
share with the principles of the new ad-
ministration here.
Europe. Of course will be loath to see
America withdraw from the enforcement
clauses Of the treaty of peace, but the
Harding administration believes that as
between American moral influence and no
cooperation of any kind from America
the European governments would rather
have American partnership. The plan TO
separate the covenant from the peace
treaty means naturally the elimination
Of Article 10, as well as any obligation
TO enforce the terms of the treaty. This
would lead to the setting up of interna-
tlonal commissions to administer the Saar
Basin and to handle PREPARATIONS and
plebiScitcS. Indeed. wherever the league
bodies would be created by the parties
signatOry to the Versailles treaty elm
mating the United States
Such changes in the covenant would
alter the character of the present league
of nations to n large extent though pre-
serving its framework. Some general
pledge that America would view with
grave concern any conflict in Europe
would probably be expected by the Euro
pean powers as an assurance against the
recurrence of militariSm. of course, the
European peoples are unwilling TO believe
that America wants to go so far as to
withdraw from the treaty of Versailles
itself, and there is no certainty that Euro
pean governments will agree among
themselves to tear apart the treaty OF
Versailles so as to make the charges de-
sired by the United States. but that. at
any rate, is what is in the air
Former Premier Niviani does not come
here determined to press the treaty upon
the Harding administration he comes 20
htely to present the compliments of
France and if there is any conversation
on the league question it viii be after Mr..
Harding or Mr.. Hughes have shown de-
sire TO discuss the problem. French Off
Gals here make it clear that the French
government is not trying to force anything
upon America. but is more than eager to
talk things over 50 that careful considera-
ton may be given to the European view
point by the new administration here.
Meanwhile all plans for the passage of
the Knox resolution and the making of a
separate peace with Germany have been
temporarily laid aside. The visit of
Niyiani and the conversations with for
eiSn governments make it inadvisable to
press that resolution until the foreign
policy Of new administration shapes it.
self more clearly and definitely