The Washington times., 1919-09-02

The Democratic rooster is begin
ming 70 perk up here in Washington.
His comb once more is taking q red,
healthful color; and If he continues
to improve, doubtless he will soon let
out a lusty crow.
This Is merely another way Of say
ing that the Republican party. whose
political star was unquestionably in
the ascendency six months ago, ap-
pears to be rapidly throwing away its
advantages. and Is jockeying itself
out of the favorable position attain
ed.
No impartial observer here has fall
ed to see the trend Of events within
the past few months. Republican
leadership in Congress has not been
what was expected. The old-time
ability OF the party to ''get together"
Is lacking. The President, so far, has
Of living issue, the labor question
and possibly the peace treaty. The
President has the strategic advantage
as he prepares to take the stump in
behalf Of the treaty and the Leage OF
Nations covenant.
Have Peer Leadership.
Leadership, or rather divided lead
ership, in Congress probably is the
root Of the present troubles Of the
Republican party. Called into extra
session by the President, the re-
sponsible majority in Congress failed
on an early constructive program; 1t
even failed to play good politics.
= In the Senate, the veteran Henry
Cabot Lodge 10 the titular leader. He
is a man Of unquestioned attainments;
yet. IN the Senate today. no Repub-
iican can claim that the party is a
cohesive organization. One day Lodge
seems to be leading, and the next day
Johnson or Borah appear to have
formed q party Of his own.
The Republican majority in the
Senate is fuming around, trying to
the peace treaty. making
speeches, and fiddling
while Rome is burning. The Repub-
lican ranks are split into rabid re-
mild reservationists,
plain reservationists, and straightout
Of the peace treaty de-
fits rejection.
Country Tires of Delay.
In making this statement, one
need not be necessarily a defender Of
the treaty or an Administration
shouter. The point is that il the Re-
publicans are right about it, they
should get down to business and dis
pose OF the treaty in one way or the
other. The delay and the fussing,
according to reliable reports here, are
bringing protests from the country.
The plain folks who are concerned
over domestic affairs, as well as
topsy-turyy conditions throughout
the world, are said to be coming
around TO the view that this is not
the time for interminable debate, and
They want the treaty
ratified as It is, ratified with reser-
vations, or reJected-so that every
body may know where the country
stands.
Republicans will claim that most
OF the folks want the treaty amend
ed. Democrats assert the country is
behind il as written. whatever be
the correct estimate. IL is becoming
apparent that one thing the country
does not want Is inaction.
Democrats Full Of HPep.7
Undoubtedly. the Democrats, who
were without spirit a few months
ago, are today showing returning
pep" and taking the offensive. Re-
publican errors OF omission and com
mission, they now believe. will pull
the Democratic party out Of the hole
into which 1t seemed to have fallen.
One Of the things worrying the Re-
publican leaders Is the matter OF pub
licity. 1t Is held by some leaders that
views in opposition to the league will
get more publicity II uttered here on
the floor OF the Senate, where there
are many Washington correspondents
and press wires TO get the stuff TO
the country. A Senator speaking 20
\ local audience in Ohio or Oregon, it
Is argued, cannot hope for country
wide publicity. no matter how much
play he mny get in the local press.
And so II goes. with the reEerVa-
lionists and all varieties OF Senate
objectors attempting TO take the lead
md to diagnose national ills and pre-