Evening star., 1923-04-24
Would Not Be League En-
try He Tells Associated
Press
PLATFORM PROMISE
SINCE 1904, HE SAYS
Issue Beclouded by OPP
ponents on Both Sides,
Harding Declares.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK April 24.-Participa-
rion by the United States i'll the
world court as proposed by the ad-
ministration. President Harding today
declared at the annual luncheon to
members of the Associated Press,
would be lin harmony with party
platform pledges. candidatorial prom
isss and American aspirations. and
would not be an entry into the league
of nations by the side door. the back
door or the cellar door
Excessive friends" of the league.
The President declared. had beclouded
the situation by unwarranted assump-
tion that the proposal is a move. to-
ward membership in the league while,
he added. the irreconcilable opponents
of the league have also beclouded the
question with the assumption that en-
tanglements with Europe would un-
avoidably follow.
Dismisses Fear.
The fear of entanglements the
President dismissed with the blunt
hecldTdIlcn lIldt II Int SENATE were
TO consent to any his administration
would not complete ratification OF
such proposal and would thereby
prevent ii from becoming effective.
ReiteratinS his conviction that the
United States could participate in the
world court without assuming risks
which its opponents point out. Presl-
dent Harding reviewed the republican
platforms since 1904, all of which he
pointed out. spoke for world court
Of arbitral justice. and added:
II believe in keeping the faith. If
political parties do not mean what
they say and candidates do not mean
what they say. then our form OF
popular government is based on
fraud and cannot hope 70 endure
But the President left no doubt
that he has no intention of moving
toward the league of nations by his
support of the world court.
League Not for United states.
In compliance with its pledges,
he said. the administration den
thought of the United States enter
Ing the league of nations. II doesn't
propose to enter now by the side
door the back door or the cellar door.
have no unseemly comment to offer
on the league. If it is serving the
old world helpfully. more power to
II. But ii is not for US. The Senate
so declared, the executive has so de-
Nothing could be more decisively
stamped with flnality."
Mr.. Harding made it plain that he
did not consider the world court
question paramount to all other ma
tional problems. and added that nei-
ther did he hold it a menace to party
unity. evidently having in mind the
warnings issued by some republican
leaders within the last few weekty
1T ought not to be Ciassed as a
party question" he continued. but if
any party. repeatedly advocating a
world court. is. TO be rended by the
suggestion Of an effort to perform in
accordance with it's pledges il needs
a new appraisal of its assets
Answers Argument.
Sensing one of the principal argu-
'nents to he used by opponents of the
administration proposal. the claim
that the United States would be placed
~ disadvantage in the election of
Judges to the court through the dis
parity in the Eational voting power
Ia the league assembly. the President
said he frankly recognized this as a
political bugbear." but added that
inasmuch as no nation could have
more than one Judge, it was less of an
objection than when applied to the
league itself
Although the question of the world
court formed the burden of the Presi-
dents address he also bespoke a word
for the establishment of a merchant
marine. deplored lack of party loyalty
and the organizat ton of groups or
nlocs to serve group interests, and
urged that the primary be made an
agent of indisputable party express
sion rather than a means of party
confusion or destruction.
Choose Closed Car.
The presidential special of three
cars arrived in New York at am
but Mr. and Mrs. Harding did not
hrno 1 uot 81
o'clock they left their train and
walked through the station to the
string of motors awaiting their party.
An open car was selected for Mr.. and
Mrs. Harding, but because of the
chill in the morning air the first lady
of the land demurred and chose
closed machine.
Because of the uncertainty of the
hour of the Presidents arrival
smaller crowd than usual was on
hand to greet him. Commuters. how
ever fingered to cheer him, and a
fair-sized crowd was massed on eth
avenue. The presidential party drove
through 32d street to 5th avenue and
then uptown to the 33d street en-
trance to the hotel. Mr.. and Mrs.
Harding went at once to their suite.
1t was understood that the Presi-
dent would remain in his suite until
he appeared at the luncheon Of the
Associated Press.
May See Ball Game.
There was hint that the President
after the luncheon might journey up
town to the new Yankee stadium to
watch the New York bali players
clash with the Senators, and that Mrs
Harding might make a tour of New
York shops. The tentative program
for the evening called for a visit to a
musical show.
Included in the presidential party
were Brig. Gen. Sawyer, Mr.. Hard
fng's personal physician; Postmaster
General Harry New, A. D. Lasker.
chairman of the United States Ship
ping Board, and Chairman Adams of
the republican national committee.
Gen. Sawyer, who is chairman of
the disqualification committee of the
Veterans Bureau, left the hotel soon
after his arrival for an inspection Of
the new Gunhill Road Hospital in the
Bronx.
Mrs. Harding later decided not to
visit any stores herself, but sent her
maid to buy some articles and had
some goods sent into the hotel for
her inspection. She seemed in excel
lent spirits as she appeared at the
door of her suite and chatted with
members of her party. :
The President limited his activities
this morning to receiving few Wis
itors. Among them were Will Fl.
Continued on Page II. Column 81 !