Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-27

New York, Aug. 26.-CBy A. PA
letter from Warren G.. Harding writ
ten June Is. exhorting American news
paper editors to use their power to
end war and described as the legacy
of a newspaperman-preside to the
press of his country" was made public
tonight by Walter Wellman, journalist
and author.
In his letter, sent through Mr.. Well
man to the editors of American news
papers, Mr.. Harding sounded the same
note he struck when, gazing with
misty eyes on the caskcts of American
dead borne back from the battlefields
of Europe, he exclaimed:
ut must not be again.
II am informed" wrote Mr.. Harding
to his fellow editors, that some of
YOU are considering plan to use the
power of the great American ncwspa-
per press to ascertain the opinions of
the people upon the problem of AmeriI
cas- duty in world reorganization for
the abolition of war. the reign of in
ternational law with tribunals instead
of battlefieldS as courts of last resort,
and the creation of system of inter-
national cooperation. without super
government or encroachmcnt upon the
independence of any nation, designed
permanently to preserve peace, neigh
borly relationships. economic stability
and prosperity among all the peoples
Of the world.
This plan to elicit American opinion
is to be participated in by newspapers
of all sections of the country, without
regard to political affiliations, and that
no partisan purpose of any sort is to
be sought by it; that the various vital
phases of the problem are to be care
fully and impartially presented to
readers as aid in forming their judg-
ment appeals to me strongly. l have
long since become convinced that the
United States should not and will not
enter the much discussed League of
Nations, but that conviction has not
destroyed the hope that there may be
found a way to world association and
at ending world understanding.
with this plan to set the American
people thinking more strongly ana
clearly and expressing their conclu-
sions concerning the international duty
of our republic. l am in full sympa-
thy. 1t is an admirable. useful work
and hope you carry it to all the read
erS in the land. In my OPINION tnlS is
a problem which the United States
must soon meet with earnestness and
courage and that it will be of great
help to the government when it pro-
ceeds towards a practical solution or
the problem to have a definite forma-
ton of public opinion to build and
RELY upon. | further believe that III
this great task of helping to make
the world safe for humanity no po-
litical party should seek selfish ad-
vantage, that here should apply our
old and most wholesome tradition that
party rivalries stop at the edge or the
high seas. Hence I shall be glad II
the American press. ignoring PARTISAN
ship, uses it's great power to draw
forth the best thought. heart and soul
of our people. In such crystal MA
ton will be read the decision OF the
republic
In making public the foregoing
letter. which he described as an ur.
gent appeal to newspapers or an
parties to conduct nationwide
bipartisan popular referendum as
TO Americas international duty, the
details of which he had discussed
with the late President, Mr.. Wellman
asserted that had Mr.. Harding lVed'
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