The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-04-23
Borah Tells.
(, Views
N%v
II League.
Lord Robert Discusses Ques-
ton of American Entry With
President and Senator
From Idaho.
Harding Silent on Issue

ert Cecil presented directly to
President Harding and Senator Borah
of Idaho his explanation of the
league Of nations. its achievements
and its hopes.
The noted British exponent OF the
league, who for nearly month has
been advocating the league cause in
public addresses in the United States,
had breakfast with Senator Borab,
one of the leaders of the irreconcil-
able group in the senate fight over
the treaty OF Versailles. and then
went TO the White House where he
! had half an hours conference with
President Harding.
The impression made by Lord
Roberts presentation on the presi-
dent was in no wise revealed, the
White House issuing no statement
after the call and Lord Robert con-
filming his comment to the assertion
that he had had a pleasant discus
sion with Mr. Harding.
Senator Borah, however, issued a
I formal statement which, while not
+ directly setting forth the impression
left by the conversations, declared the
senator had told Lord Robert that
the vast majority of the American
people were uncompromisingl OPP
posed to joining any plan or league
which would involve America in
European politics.
Arranged by Henry White.
Both Of the conferences were ar.
ranged by Henry White. former
American ambassador to France and
one of the American commissioners
at the Versailles peace conference,
who is entertaining Lord Robert while
he is in Washington. At breakfast
senator Borah was a guest at the
White home. and Mr.. White. accom-
panied Lord Robert to the White
House.
Whether Lord I,pbert's converse
tion with President Harding touched
upon the permanent court Of interna-
ton justice, an agency OF the league
of nations. i'm which tribunal Mr..
Harding proposes that the United
States >accept membership. was not
disclosed. but the assumption was that
this formed a major subject OF dis
cussion during the half hours con-
ference
The international court matter con
tinued TO press forward as matter
OF discussion among republican lead
ers in the capital and indications In
. creased during the day that the presi-
dent had decided 10 make. within the
next few dsys. a pronouneement OF
the administration stand in favor OF
American adhesion.
People Oppose Plan.
Senator Borah. In making his
statement with relation to his confer
enee with Lord Robert. said he did 20
in order that a significance unwar-
ranted by the facts" might not be at.
tached to the meeting.
Il must not he understood. OF
course. as assuming to state Lord
Roberts views nor constituting his
league ideas" said Senator Borah.
But | do not mind saying that ]
stated 10 him frankly that In my
opinion the vast ma jority Of our
people were uncompromisingly OPP
posed TO joining any plan or league
which would involve us I'm European
polticS--in other words that a poll.
teal orga anization or an organization
which could be dominated or directed
or controlled by the political forces
would never be accepted by our
people. And II some plan could not
be worked out wholly different from
a political organization that il would
be safer FOR. Europe to proceed upon
The theory that the United states
would not be- party to- II.
II further stated that. in my opin-
ion our people had been confirmed
in their views with reference TO join
ing the league by what had taken
place since the armistice-. ! had in
mind and called his attention. as an
illustration. to what was happening
now in the Ruhr saying that the
invasion Of the Ruhr and the ruth
lessness now being practiced had
confirmed the people In the belief that
they wanted nothing 10 do with Euro
pean policies and politics.