What to Say?

In any event, it is evident that he will have to deal with most of the leading issues--railroads, tariff, taxation, shipping--presenting his program and telling of his accomplishments. Republican politicians seem to be fairly certain of what his attitude will be in these matters.

The great matter on which his stand seems to be dubious, however, is the World Court. Will he advocate it strongly? Will he present the question but not press it? Will he ignore the issue? There is no unanimous answer to these questions, which seem to be the most important of all. It seems that Republican leaders are afraid of the issue because it might involve against them anti-League of Nations sentiment. Senator Watson, in listing the probable questions on which the President will speak, avoided the World Court. Secretary Weeks declared it would not be an issue because the next Senate would approve the President's plan and the incident would be closed.

Even if Mr. Weeks is right, the Senate will not assemble before the President makes his tour. Meanwhile newspapers and political critics generally venture to say that since Mr. Harding has broached the subject of participation in the World Court he cannot now drop the issue.