The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-02-23
HARDING AT HOME
AND WILSON ABROAD


"ln presenting to the Senate the
treaties agreed upon at the Armament
Conference President Harding occupi-
ed position much stronger than that
occupied by President Wilson when he
presented the treaty agreed upon at
Versailles" declares the Republican
Publicity Association, through its
President, Hon. Jonathan Bourne, Jr.
"Mr. Harding was in a position 10
argue that the honor Of the country
required the ratification Of the treaty.
President Wilson and his supporters
undertook to make such claim in be-
half Of the treaty Of peace with its
league Of nations circumference, but
the plea gained no credence anywhere.
"The difference between ths two sit
uations is clear. President Wilson
went to Paris practically alone. He
took with him few subordinates, but
he neither counseled with them nor re-
ceived from them any suggestions.
They were mere clerks carrying in
formation to give him II called for.
Neither directly nor indirectly did he
take the advice of the Senate nor keep
the Senate informed as to steps he was
taking. Moreover, it having been re-
ported that President Wilson intended
to incorporate in the peace treaty the
league of nations covenant, thirty-nine
members Of the Senate notified him IN
writing and by the adoption of reso-
luton that they could not support the
treaty with such a provision in 1t.
With that knowledge before him and
before the other nations represented at
Versailles, President Wilson continued
in his determination to Intervene the
league of nations covenant In the
peace treaty in such away that the
whole must be accepted or rejected.
He undertook TO force the Senate to
give its sanction to agreements with
which the Senate disagreed.
mo such methods were pursued by
President Harding. Instead Of going
personally as delegate to the Confer
ence he appointed four of the ablest
men in the United States, two Of them
members Of the Senate and leaders OF
their respective political parties.
These four men in constant consulta-
! ton among themselves and with the
! President and with members OF the
Senate represented the interests and
desires of the United States govern
ment. Moreover, the Senate had al
ready, by adoption Of resolution, de-
, clared its desire that treaties be made
I providing for Limitation Of armament
| and settling vexatious questions in the
Pacific. Thus II will be seen the Pres
d ident msde the treaties with the cd
vice of the Senate.
'In one other respect President
. Harding's position was much stronger
4 than that Of President Wilson. Az the
, same time that he submitted the
. treaties 70 the Senate he placed before
that body complete copy Of the min
! utes Of the proceedings by which the
8 terms Of the treaties were arrived at.
{ In other words, he placed before the
Senate all the Information in his
possession bearing upon the agree
ments by which II was proposed the
r United States should be bound. Not
d so did President Wilson. a vast
y amount Of the data pertaining 10 the
p Peace Conference at Versailles was
hidden away in what has since been
, called the steel box and only IN re-
cent weeks have the Senate and public
been permitted TO know a portion OF
\ the contents Of that box and even at
this late date only such portions as
d an editor acting under the direction OF
Mr.. Wilson saw IT 10 make known
through the columns Of limited num-
Der Of newspapers
1 president Wilson proceeded TO ne
p gotiate a treaty in violation OF ooth
! the spirit and the letter Of The United
states Constitution. President HAM
!. ing paid due respect TO both"