The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-04-22
Borah Tells
Views
on League
Lord Robert Discusses Ques-
ton of American Entry With
President and Senator
From Idaho.
Harding Silent on Issue


Washington. April 21.-Lord Rob-
ert Cecil presented directly today to
President Harding and Senator Borah
Of Idaho his explanation of the
league of nations, it's achievements
and its hopes
The noted British exponent of the
league, who for nearly a month has
been advocating the league cause in
public addresses in the United States
had breakfast with Senator Borah
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 pleasant discus
sion with Mr. Harding.
Senator Borah, however. issued a
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 We're uneompromisingly op-
posed to joining any plan or league
which would involve America in
European politics.
Arranged by Henry White.
Both Of the conferences We're ar
ranged by Henry WHITE. former
American ambassador to France and
one of the American con- missioners
at the Versailles peace conference,
who is entertaining Lord Robert while
he is in Washington. At breakfast
Senator Borah. was guest at the
White homo. and air. White. accom-
panied Lord Robert u the White
House.
Whether Lord Roberts eonversa-
tion with President Harding touched
upon the permanent court Of interna-
tion Justice. an agency Of the league
of nations. In 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 A matter
of discussion among republican lead
ers in the capital and indications in
creased during the day that the presi.
dent had decided to make. within the
next few days. a pronouncement Of
the administration stand in favor Of
American adhesion.
People Oppose Plan.
Senator Borah, I'm making his
statement with relation TO his confer.
ence with Lord Robert, said he did so
in order that significance unwar-
ranted by the facts might not be at
tached to the meeting.
II must not be understood. Of
course. az assuming 10 state Lord
Roberts views nor constituting his
league IDEAS" said Senator Borah.
But | do not mind saying that ]
stated TO him frankly that in my
opinion the vast majority Of our
people were uneompromisingly op-
posed TO joining any plan or league
which would involve us in European
politics-in other words that poll
tical organization or an organization
which could be dominated or directed
or controlled by the political forces
would never be accepted by our
peoplh And IL some plan could not
be worked out wholly different from
"A political organization that IL would
be safer for Europe TO proceed upon
,he theory that the United States
would not be n party 10 II.
Il 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 10 what was happening
now In the Ruhr. saying that the
invasion Of the Ruhr and the ruth
lessness now being practieed had
confirmed the people In the belief that
they wanted nothing to do with Euro
pean policies and politics.