Evening star., 1923-08-27

NEW YORK. August 2I.-A letter
from Warren G. Harding written
June I5, eXhorting American newspa-
per editors to use their power to end
war and described as "the legacy of
newspaper man President to the
press of his country" was made pub
lie last night by Walter Wellman.
journalist and author.
In this letter. sent through Mr..
Wellman to the editors of American
newspapers. Mr.. Harding sounded the
same note he struck when, gazing
with misty eyes on the caskets of
American dead borne hack from the
battlefields of Europe. he exclaimed:
"lt must not be again
Il am informed" wrote Mr.. Hard
ing to his fellow editors, that some
of you are considering a plan to use
the power of the great American
newspaper press to ascertain the
opinions of the people upon the prob
lem of Americas duty in world re-
organization for the abolition of war.
the reign of international ,aw with
tribunals instead of battietields as
courts of last resort and the creation
of system of international co-opera-
ton. without SupergoNernment or
encroachment upon the independence
of any nation. designed permanently
10 preserve peace. neighborly rela-
tionshipS economic stability and
prosperity among all the peoples of
the world.
Hope TO Find Way.
That 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 pur-
pose of any sort is to be sought by
1t; that the various vital phases of
the problem are to be carefully and
impartially presented to readers as
aid in forming their judgment ap
peals to me strongly | have long
since become convinced that the Unit
ed States should not and VIII not en-
ter the much discussed league of ma
tions. but that conviction has not de-
stroyed the hope that there may be
found a way to world aSSocia ton and
attending world understanding.
With this plan to set the American
people thinking more strongly and
clearly and expressing their conciu-
sions concerning the International
sympathy. IL Is an admirable. useful
work, and | hope YOU carry it to all
the readers in the land. In my opin
lon this is problem which the Unit
nestness and courage. and that it will
be of great help TO the government
when it proceeds toward a practical
solution of the problem to have "a
definite formation of public opinion to
build and rely upon. | further be
lfeNe that in this great task of help
ing to make the world safe for hu-
manity no political party should seek
selfish advantage, that here should
apply our old and most wholesome
T. iXQ ri Stn OF
the edge of the high seas Hence
shall be glad If the American press.
ignoring partisanship. uses its great
power to draw forth the best thought.
heart and soul of our people. In such
a crystallization will be read the de-
cisfon of the republic"
Silenced nv Death.
In making public the foregoing
letter. which he described as an
urgent appeal to newspapers of all
parties TO conduct nation wide nom
partisan popular referendum as TO
Americas international duty. the de-
tails Of which he had discussed with
the late President. Mr.. Wellman as
serted that had Mr.. Harding lived
his plans and purposes he would
himself have revealed when ready"
But now" continued Mr.. Well
man, lit is plainly my duty to him, to
the people who loved him as man
regardless of their view of his poll
CieS, 10 make known WndI ne tOlQ me
Of his determination to do all In his
power to bring about a higher type
Of civilization. to Danish war. to lift
from all peoples the burden and men
ace of the old but now worn-out and
useless militaristic regime. 1t is only
Just to Mr.. Harding's fame. to his
place in history, that the truth be
made public
Mr.. Wellman then told of the con-
versations he had had with Mr.. Hard
ing in the White House a few weeks
before his death.
The late President spoke to me
frankly as one newspaper man to an
other. Had he lived. all that would
have been a confidence. Now it is a
heritage that must not he lost.
Gave Long Thought.
He told with feeling Of his many
days and nights of earnest, prayerful
thought on the problem of Americas
duty. of how he had at last reached
a definite conclusion that his CON
science would not permit him longer
TO remain inactive of his belief that
the conscience of our people. once
their minds We're stirred upon this
problem, would not countenance per-
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