The daily times., 1922-02-13
INTEREST CENTERS
|. ON SENATE ACTION
AS TO TREATIES
HARDING LIKE WILSON
In His Argument for Ratifica-
tom of the Treaties the
President Uses Language
Much Like That of President
Wilson in Submitting the
Versailles Treaty.
HARDING LIKE WILSON
(By David Lawrence.)
Copyright 1922 by The Daily
-Times.)

-TimeS.)
Washington, Feb. 1.-THE first
impulse of the Democrats in the Uni
ted States Senate is to ratify the
group of treaties submitted by Pres
ident Harding though in so doing
they have in their hearts an unmis-
taxable feeling that they ought to
make an exception. of the four-power
Pacific treaty.
This treaty which puts an end to
the Anglo-Japanese Alliance will be
considered last and will be debated
more than the others.
President Harding's address to the
Senate is today the subject of much
discussion in congressional circles.
It's general effect was beneficial. But
several Senators are suggesting that
Mr. Harding who from the start has
shown little desire to use his ad-
dresses to the Senate for partisan
rebukes permitted himself to be
drawn into unnecessary expression of
disdain for the league of nations.
One Senator suggested that Henry
Cabot Lodge contributed literally to
the Presidents manuscript and that
these portions are the authorship of
Mr.. Lodge who has not forgotten the
league of nations fight.
Except for the reference to the
league which stirred up the applause
of the anti-leagues and provoked a
resentful silence on the part of the
Democrats, the speech was regarded
by Senators generally as splendid
argument for ratification.
| It was pointed out that President
Harding uses language almost iden-
, tica1 with that of President Wilson in
submitting the Versailles treaty and
covenant. Mr.. Wilson declared that
there was no compulsion Except the
compulsion of our good conscience
and judgment" in the league coven.
ant and in the article which pledged
a respect for territorial integrity. Mr.
Harding declares there is mo com
mittment to armed force, no alliance
Ino written or moral obligation to
Ijoin in defence, no expressed or i'm
piled commitment to arrive at any
agreement and he adds except il
accordance with ous constitutions
methods
Mr.. Wilson pointed out that tht
Council of the League advises
what should be done to enforce re
spect for the covenant and said t'i
in the Judgment of the people of thu
United States, the council adjudget
wrong and this was not a case fo'
the use of force, there would be NJ
necessity on the part of the Congress
of the United States to vote the us'
of force. But there could be no ad
vice of the council on any subjec
without a unanimous vote and tn
, unanimous vote includes our own
and if we accepted the advice W.
would be. accepting our own advice.
Mr.. Harding further supports
Wilson viewpoint on the. idea of re
ciprocal engagements to respect ter
ritorial integrity. The President ask
t'Why should we not make reciproca
engagements to respect the terrltor
. of others and contract their respec
of ours?" Another passage whicl
4 was marked as inviting compariso
o with the Wilson utterances in favo
e of the league is this paragraph in MI
! Harding's address: eff nations ma
= not safely agree to respect each ott
n ers rights and may not agree to COZ
4 fer if one to the compact threaten
s. ltrespass, or may not agree to advis
1 if one party to the pact is threatene
q by an outside power, then all COZ
r certed efforts to tranquilize tn
n world and stabilize peace must b
flung to the Winds"
nj And here is what Mr.. Wilson sui
(Continued on Page Six.)