MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17119, 14 April 1921, Page 7

MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS REJECTED. IMMEDIATE PEACE WITH GEBMANY. (By Cable—Press Association —CopyrigSi) (Heater's Tolesrra.us.) WASHINGTON, April 12. In his Message to Congress, President Harding said he believed the League of Nations was dead. He declared for peace by resolution without delay. (Australian and K.Z. Cnble Association.) WASHINGTON, April' V2. President Harding, in his Message to Congress, urged the immediate adoption of the resolution declaring peace with Germany, but not the hampering of the collection of reparations for the restoration of devastated Europe. He declared that a separate peace was inadequate. It would be wiser to aeeopt the confirmation of United States' rights under the existing Treaty if ihey were satisfied as to the reservations and modifications securing the freedom of the United States from indavisable commitments. The United States would take no part in tho existing League of Nations, but would heartily join an association to promote peace. Regarding tho peace resolution, Mr Harding added that it would be idle to declare for a separate pence with the Central Powers on the assumption tbat alone this would be adequate, because the situation was so involved that America's peace engagements could not ignore Old World relationships and the settlements already effected, nor was it desirable to do so in preserving their own rights and contracting future relationships. A declaration of peace with Germany could in no sense be construed as desertion of the Allies. In reaffirming his allegiance to the idea of a World Association of Nations, he said that this problem must be deliberately considered. In the existing League of Nations, the world was being governed by its super-powers. "This Republic," continued Mr Harding, "can have no part in that. There will, be no betrayal of the deliberate expression of the American people at the recent election in rejecting the Covenant of the League of Nations. America has made no surrender of the hope and aim for an association to promote peace." He opposed including _ in the peace resolution any declaration of future policy regarding Europe', and urged the necessity of an adequate navy. While ready to co-operate with other nations in approximate disarmament, agencies for defence would not be discarded till the need for defence was removed. He favoured the introduction of voluntary military training. America was ready to co-operate with other nations in approximate disarmament, but_ prudence would forbid America disarming alone. Mr Harding regretted that the world was so ill-prepared for tho war's aftermath._ He urged the need- of every possible step to find the normal onward way. The surest procedure was for every Government to put its own house in order. There was no more pressing problem than restricting national expenditure within income. He declared that taxes during the next four years must average 4,000,000,000 dollars annually. / REVISION Or TARIFF. WASHINGTON, April 12. Referring to tariff revision Mr Harding said that the privileges of the American market were offered too cheaply to the foreign producer. None valuing American prosperity and the maintenance of the standard of wages and living could sympathise with tho argument that easy entry and flood of imports would cheapen the cost of living. It was more likely to destroy the capacity to buy. He urged tne immediate enactment of an emergency tariff, declaring that American agricultural interests were menaced. This tariff should bo followed by a more mature measure, revision to bo baaed on a policy of protection which would resist selfishness. He denounced tho stain of barbaric lynching, which should be wiped from the banners of a free, orderly democracy. '