Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-08-23
NEW PRESIDENT
START NG WELL
WASHINGTON, sPEcULATINc ON
HIS POLICIES. APPROVES HIS
FIRST MESSAGE.
HIS RESPONSIBILITY HEAVY
General Belief is That He Will Carry
Out Plans of Harding, Even 10 ur9-
ing American Membership in World
Court.
BY EDWARD B. CLARK

BY EDWARD 3. CLARK
westinghouse d night the chief
actors changed in a scene that stands
unchanged. Warren G. Harding, whose
spirit for work was greater than his
body could bear, is dead. Calvin
Coolidge, sturdy, willing, but, in way,
as yet untried, has become the Presi-
dent of the United States.
Calvin Coolidge is in the shadow Of
a heavy responsibility. Washington,
and the country with it, doubtless, is
asking if he can make light in a
dark place. Washington is doing sone
Specializing on the matter of the poll
cies Of the new President. His first
message to the American people ap-
pealed to men as men, irrespective of
party or Of their feelings on national
and International policies. The mes
sage was a model of English and of
modesty. Washington said He begins
WE'LL
In his first public pronouncement,
made Immediately on hearing Of the
death of his chief, Mr.. Coolidge said:
1T will be my purpose to carry out
the policies which he has begun for
the service Of the American people
and for meeting their responsibilities
wherever they may arise
Republicans and Democrats In
Washington have given particular at
tention to the expression ''for meeting
their responsibilities wherever they
may arise" These words, coupled
with the promise to carry out the dead
Presidents policies, Washington inter-
prets as meaning that international
policies as well as national policies are
to be adhered to.
Coolidge and the World Court.
This matter brings to the attention
of Washington politicians az once the
matter Of American membership in the
world court, matter which Mr.. Hard
ing had much at heart and in behalf
of which he made what was virtually
his last appeal to the American people
No one in Washington ever has been
allowed to know President COolidge's
position on the world court proposal
Generally speaking, the feeling seems
to be here that in the spirit IT not in
the letter of the prOn0uncement Of his
first day as President, is to be found
a pledge of support for this policy Of
President Harding, policy which has
divided his party into two camps.
1t is at this writing too early to tell
whether President Coolidge will press
the world court proposal or not, but If
he does press it, it seems to be be-
lieved in Washington that sentiment
for the president who has gone may
bring support to the proposal in the
senate, which otherwise might have
been denied it.
Opponents Of American membership
in the world court naturally will be
affected by the thought that advocacy
of the proposal helped to make greater
the burden of work which the late
president bore They may also feel
that the American people, who are
quick to respond to appeals to senti-
ment, may urge the adoption by the
senate Of the late presidents plan for
official representation in the court.
May Call for Show of Courage.
Calvin Coolidge comes from New
England and Republicans from New
England seemingly for the most part
are opposed to anything like American
participation in European affairs.
Henry Cabot Lodge, senior senator
from Massachusetts, is not in entire
sympathy, if he is in sympathy at all,
with the late presidents world court
proposal Most of the representatives
in congress from New England are
said to be in sympathy with the Lodge
sposition.
Washington. judging from the ex-
pressions Of some of the greater Re
publican papers in New England, feels
that opinion in the New England
states, perhaps generally, is against
the court proposal. Calvin Coolidge, If
he shall follow the policy line of his
predecessor in the world court matter.
may find himself out of sympathy with
the majority of his party in Massa-
chusetts and in the states whereabouts.
Therefore, as some of the politicians
here view it, Mr. Coolidge will show
considerable courage if he shall at
tempt to controvert what may be the
will of the majority of his party in his
home section.
Clark May Succeed Christian.
After one president goes there al
ways necessarily have been changes in
the personnel of the White House ex-
ecutive force George B. Christian.
secretary to the late President Hard
ing, unquestionably will leave office
and at this writing the belief is strong
that his successor will be Edward II.
Clark, or possibly B. r. Felt, an old
friend of President Coolidge. Mr..
Clark for two years was the secre-
tary Of Mr.. Coolidge when vice pres
ident.
Edward T. Clark, prior to entering
the service of Mr.. Coolidge two years
ago, was for 16 years secretary to
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Mas
sachusetts. 1t is needless to say,