Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-01
JOHNSON-BRYAN ENTENTE
SEEN IN NOTE EXCHANGE
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paper ridicule and organized opposi-
ton. and breaches the faith that is in
him. he com mands the admiration and
respect of those who love courage AMI
free expression. Mr.. Bryan repre-
sents dwind1inG few IN our national
life. Those who yet believe III the
American right OF free speech and
frank discussion. In battling for Hrs
principles, openly and courageously--
although our views may be at va
Rance with his-Mr. Bryan performs
a real and much needed service
in our politics."
Now the inference drawn by many
political observers in recent years
has been that some day there would
be a coalition OF progressives re-
cruited from the democratic and re-
publican parties, and amalgamated in
third party. But the inference is
far from being realized. Third par
ties are futile in the judgment of
both Mr.. Johnson and Mr. Bryan.
Even the Nom Partisan League has
shrewdly fereseeR the almost impos-
sible struggle that confronts a minor
ity party, and has captured the re-
publican or democratic primaries in
gone to the voters with all the ad-
vertising and prestige that the old
party labels can c6anmand ~F '-st'- - ''''
nOtm Oe81EC L610eEWuIVs
Messrs. Bryan and johnson have in
common a desire to get possession OF
the leadership OF the two big parties
by boring from within. But William
Jennings Bryan has given his towns
folk something to think about this
the lines Of regularity. which he has
SO often boosted. Time was when
Bryan would defy his critics to point
to him as a bolter from his party.
Today in the Commoner. impelled' by
the force Of big moral question like
prohibition, he is ready to forsake
colleagues in the democratic. party,
vote for dry republicans and pRegres-
siye republicans in every ccn&res-
sional district where the democratic
candidate may be wet or reacftonAry.
This kind Of tactics rs been the
backbone Of Non-Partisan League STRAIT
egg in the west. Bryan's palitical indie
pendence this year is causing comment.
He plays close to the radical movement
which is sweeping the west. He is
heart and soul in the prohibition fight.
His friends here say he considers 1t, a
vital issue SO far as Congress is con-
|cerned, but that his support Of Gov. Cox
will never develop from the vague and
indefinite stage In which it is at present
because Of the league Of nations ques-
tons. Bryan thinks Gov. Cox stands
committed to the Wilson position of op-
position to the league of nations with
the Lodge reservations.
To get Bryan's support Gov Cox
would have to espouse the set Of reser-
vations to the peace treaty voted for
by several democratic senators last year
in a vain but desperate hope Of salts
flying Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. The
democrats who stood by Mr.. Wilson
and the republicans whe. like Hiram
johnson. opposed the entire League
formed combination big enough to pre-
vent ratification on the Lodge basis
But on domestic legislation. possible
war with Mexico. changes in federal re-
serve banking system and the revival OF
the protective tariff. Mr.. Bryan may
be fully expected to jump into the fray
as the leader Of the progressives on
the democratic side, if Gov. Cox should
h. defeated Senator Johnson. like SEN
ator Lenroot of Wisconsin. is planning
a group fight against everything reac-
tionary that may be proposed from any
quarter in the next administration For
the present, Bryan and johnson are ex-
changing views, and. veteran politicians
that they are. they wait calmly for the
ideas Of November.
Copyright, 1920