Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-05-19
HARDING UNCHANGED
IN HIS SUPPORT Of
WORLD COURT PLAN
BY DAVID LAWRENCE

BY DAVID LAWRENCE
WASHINGTON May 16.-Presi-
dent Harding has cleared up the
Misunderstanding which have been
spreading in the last fortnight con-
corning his alleged abandonment of
the world court proposal.
The president stands four square
on his original project as submitted
to congress, but has come to the con-
clusion that nothing will be gained
by agitation of the matter on his
part until congress reconVenes. He
will not make it a primary subject
Of discussion on his western trip.
Mr.. Harding has been trying to con-
vey the impression that he is not
challenging those who differ with
him in the Republican party, that
he is not out with a chip on his
shoulder to invade the states of
those who disbelieve in the world
court idea, but somehow it has got
ten abroad in the land that he is
really weakening on the world court
Suggestion itself and in the end will
not be found insisting that it be
adopted.
There are men in the Republican
party VI d DSlIlllS IIlOO0 VAN XII
willing to wager that the president
ultimately will give way and will
allow the world court to get buried
in a tangle of parliamentary debris
in the next session of congress. Some
Of these same individuals were as
confident that Mr. Harding would
sign the soldier bonus bill when
passed by both houses Of congress
Tho Whn think
Warren Harding would rather COM
promise and concede a point than
carry q controversy to the bitter
end.
No Propaganda Campaign
In the midst Of these rumOrs and
surmises came the first White
House statement denying the state
ment that the president would carry
on a propag anda campaign from the
executive mansion on behalf of
the world court, and then came the
statement that having made his posi-
ton clear in his New York speech,
and Secretary Hughes having COW
cred the ground cOmprehensiVely In
his public address, there would be
nothing further from the admin
istration. Again this was inter
preted as a DdcKQOWn.
The president in the last twenty
four hours has interpreted his own
position still further, and it comes
nearer explaining the reason for his
caution than anything else that has
emanated from the administration
on this subject. Mr.. Harding points
out that the big point of his course
in the world court controversy has
evidently been missed by the country
at large. Without making a specific
contrast with the policy pursued by
Woodrow Wilson and previous adj
ministrations, the president feels he
has sought the advice and consent
of the senate, and in advance of
any commitments abroad, and yet
has found out from foreign powers
exactly how America might be adj
mitted to the world court and be
free from obligations in the League
of Nations itself. If the senate
should reject the proposal there
world will not have counted Tnduly
on American support. Similarly the
senate is free to tack on such res
ervations as it feels will safeguard
the United States from being in
volved in foreign political (tangles.
TO attempt to discuss reservations
any further than was outlined in
Secretary Hughes original letter
transmitted to congress last March
would be futile in Mr. Harding's
opinion, in fact to engage in a con-
troversy with the critics of the world
court, would only serve to intensity
such feeling inside: the Republican
party as has already developed and
would not conduce to an atmosphere
of reconciliation when the hour of
compromise over the wording Of res
ervations actually arrives.
Troubles in Party
Despite what the president says,
there are, of course, "irreconcila-
bles" who think they can beat the
proposition, and who are confident
Mr.. Harding will not imperil his
own political fortunes by forcing
rift in the party almost on the eve
of a renominating campaign.
The president, however, has taken
the initiative in calming the ruffled
waters. SO far as he is concerned
there will be little more thrown into
the pond of controversy between
now and next December-his trip
across the continent will not be as
was thought at first an appeal to
the people" on the world court, but
simple recital of administration
achievement in the last two years
and purposes in the next two years
with emphasis on domestic issues
that are bound to be uppermost in
the public mind in the next legisla-
tive session.
Whoever wishes to construe this
as a backdown on Mr.. Harding's
part can do SO for the present, but
when the proposal is up for con-
sideration in the next congress, the
president will be found backing it
to the fullest extent in an effort
to gather the necessary two-thirds
and it is already apparent that with
solid Democratic support he can
win over the insurgents in his own
party.
TT NJ