Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-21
MIR. Borah Declines

Q ENATOR BORAH, Of Idaho, who has set
~ himself in opposition TO The world by dc
claring that he will have nothing TO do with
league OF nations, has declined the invita-
ton OF President Wilson TO Il conference at
the White House Fcbruar! &c TO discuss the
draft of the league constitution drawn up at
Paris. Those to be present at tho conference
arc the members of the House and Senate
Foreign Relations Committees Scnat or
Borah is a member OF tho Senate com nittcc.
inc President proposed to so over with his
guests, article by article, the entire draft,
and to explain his reasons for indorsing each
OF the items contained therein Senator
Borah, OF all the members declines TO attend
Ills reasons arc that he assumes tho con-
tcrcncc will be confidential in character. and
as he is utterly opposed to tho league he
does not propose to cmbarrass himself by
having any OF the Presidents condolences i'm
parted 10 him. He desires, he says 20 he
tree To discuss and oppose the league on the
floor OF the Senate without having committed
himself in any way by his attendance at tho
White House
Senator Borah's attitude in The matter is
apt to be surprising to those not familiar with
the. many Inconsistencies OF his senatorial
record. OF all the opponents OF the Presi-
dents. peace program mono has been moro
bitter than the oratorca Senator from Idaho
over the failure of tho President TO axe Nom
bcrs OF the Senate into his confidence on for
oign affairs. He has cried out time and again
that lack of information us TO the Pres idcnt' s
policies has grievously embarrassed Congress
in its consideration of international questions
Now comes the President with an invita-
ton TO Senator Borah and others TO hear his
views on the various features OF tho most
important item OF his foreign policy and the
Senator, scorning the opportunity offered pre-
ters TO 60 ahead with his campaign against
inc league without the information thus Of
tered. lie prefers, apparently, not Ito be
hanpcred by facts"
To say that condolences impaired by the
President concerning the negotiations that
have taken place with respect To the league
would cmbarrass the Senator in his discus
sion Of the treaty in the Senate is placing
a false construction on the Presidents mo-
tives. More than that, it carries the in
ference either that the Senator from Idaho
can argue his case better without knowing
the facts underlying the league agreement
or that il the condolences of the President
reach him indirectly, he would be free to
make use of them.
Actually, OF coursc-and il is thoroughly
we'll understood in Washington-all that any
President expects OF those attending con
ference OF this sort is that they will not re-
tail to the outside world confidential infor-
nation concerning the affairs OF other ma
lions. He never expects to seal their lips
against opposing his policy. The Panama
Canal tolls fight in the Senatc-ono of the
bittcrcst in ycars--was participated in freely
on both sides Of the argument by Senators
who, at the invitation Of the President had
attended conference at the White House to
hear his views. Senator Borahs unwilling
ness to discuss the matter with the prcsi-
dent does not speak we'll for the strength of
his cause.