The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-29
in Congress.
 G. o. P. SEES NO CLOUD

U. O. r. SEES NO CLOUD
 So overwhelming was the republican victory November 2 that the republicans are evidently convinced that they have been returned to power forever. Ac- cording to their published statements, nothing within reasonable time can de- pose them. They are apparently bent on a procedure in which they will regain all the spells lost eight years ago, recon struct their legislative fences in such manner as to appeal to what is known as the predatory interests, and permit the people and their protests to be damned to their hearts content.
 On the other hand, there is fine op- timism on the part of democrats who are in Washington at the present time. Despite the slaughter of only few weeks back they feel that their cause is just and will prevail. They sense a sit- uaton fast developing as result of which republicans cannot long remain an ami cable whole. In the first place, the ma iorites in the House and Senate are so large that they are unwieldy. There IS admittedly an ever-present danger that the individuals, instead of remaining en- tirely amenable to instructions, will, in the spirit of soldiers who, after desper- ate battle, have taken a city, break all restraining bonds and proceed to sack 1t, run amuck.
 OLD GUARD CONTROL
 There is this other danger besetting the republicans in which democrats re- pose great faith. The Senate, after March f. will be madeeup, as far as the republican side is concerned, of men or ultra conservative or reactionary type with fine intolerance of the so-called progressive wing of the party. In other words. the Penroses, the Lodges, the Watsons and the Shoots will smother the LaFollettes, the Kenyons, the Johnsons and the Borahs by vote of more than 3 to l.
 During the last session of Congress the old guard senators, because of the small republican majority, were most attentive to the progreSsves. Such attention, how ever went very much against the grain, and would not, it is probable, have been indulged but for the lamentable fact that one of their most dependable mem bers was so careelss as to suffer hls conviction for bribery and other heinous offenses
 And now, with the old guard, in defi- ance of democrats and progresSives, in the saddle there is no question but that it will ride hard. Senators Johnson and Borah and LaFollette will squeal under the slightest pressure But if the tac- tics of the riders become too offensive, all of the progressives will raise howl. and will carry the case directly to the people The democrats think repeu- ton of 1912 more than mere possibility in 1924.
 THE LEAGUE ISSUE
 But the one greatest hope of democrats concerns the much-discussed League Of Nations President-elect Harding is un- occasionally in favor of some league or association of nations, and the great ma jority of senators are of the same mind. Furthermore, the great bulk of the lead CTS who contributed to the success of MT. Harding are determined that the United States do it's part in guaranteeing the peace of the world. At the same time, Johnson and Borah are intolerant of any participation on the part of the United States in any scheme which is not en- tirely the United States. Furthermore, they threaten revolt the minute Harding or any other republican individual at tempts to make this country an integral part of any international fraternity. And Johnson and Borah have such an ap- pealing manner of approach to the people that Harding and all other republicans regard them with an inward but never theless poignant terror.
 It is MT. Harding's plan first to ap- pease Johnson and Borah by signing d resolution declaring for separate peace between the United States and Germany. It will then becomes necessary that he do something regarding the league. IL is known that the fight, which has simply begun, must be. concluded IL cannot be evaded. As result of such fight, ratification along some line will be effected. There seems to be no douos of this
 And then Mir, Johnson, if he makes good his threat already promulgated, will go to the people, if necessary, in the capacity of candidate for the presi- dency. Harding will be renominated by the old guard With the G. o. F. orSani- zation split in twain, it should be rather simple matter for the democratic nominee to walk into the White House just as Wilson did in 1912
 THE HARDING TALENT
 There is one potent fly in the demo- cratic ointment Harding is a remark able man in his ability to ply unscathed between Scylla and Charybdls Ihis m teresting faculty was conclusiVely dein- onstrated during the campaign. It IS said in Washington by experts or long experience that no other man In the United States could have successIuiiy played on the passions of all factions could have committed himself to potn and ..got away with it''-except Harding. If the next President applies that tai ent to the congressional situation dur- ing the next four years, the republican party may continue, even to the eho, u nresent itself in a state or soiioari1y | Then exeunt democratic hopes TOT ah ooriy ract ora tiOn