Evening star., 1921-09-20
Editorial Digest
Americas "Bis Four"

"a particularly happy choice"-thus
score of writer's express the almost
universal opinion of the American
press on the Presidents selection Of
the Big Four" to represent the United
States at the armament conference.
Tho reception as delegate of Senator
Lodge has already been reviewed in
this column. Mr.. Roots appoint
ment is unanimously confirmed,
both in point of personal capacity
selection of Senator Underwood is
pointed to by republican editors as
proof of the Presidents sincerity in
approaching the conference in nom
partisan spirit: and while this single
ness of purpose is questioned in few
democratic papers, most of them ac-
cept the naming of Underwood as a
generous but deserved recognition of
the outstanding figure in the minority
party. There is. however. consider
able discussion as to the propriety of
either of the senators serving on the
President.
The applause for President Hard
ing's choice" the Duluth Herald Gn-
dependent) declares. will not only
be nationwide. but will be echoed
around the world" If the selection
had been left to vote Of the peo-
ple." the Illinois State Journal (Spring-
field. republican, thinks that "un-
doubtedly a majority of the votes
would have been cast" for these four
men who are "best fitted from every
angle to serve US at the conference"
The birmingham News presents an
estimate of the personnel of the dele
cation which. except for its emphasis
on Senator Underwood, is a singularly
terse summing up of the general view.
hn
has figured in more than one inter-
national parley; Hughes, also a great
lawyer. and if his first six months in
the Department of State may be ac-
destined to be numbered as one of
Americas great Secretaries of
State: Underwood. unerring. funda-
mentally sound and experienced in
organization and in impressing his
powers upon those about him. astute.
a magnificent conciliator of divided
forces: Lodge. scholar and a stu
dent. and though essentially a prac-
tical politician, one who is shrewd
and capable and thoroughly versed
in the political schools-these are
they who will speak the speech of
America
So thoroughly representative of the
country is this delegation that their
appointment. the Peoria Transcript
independently says "forecloses on
agitation." and the Philadelphia
Bulletin independent republican,
feels that none of the special inter-
ests. which have asked for repre-
sentation. need fear for their particu-
lar cause nor feel slight of the
smallest degree"
The Chicago Journal (democratic)
raises the question of whether or not
these four men will fare any better"
at the hands of Lloyd George and
other European diplomats than did
President Wilson. who is charged
with having been "outwitted" by old
wcrld skill. Three other democratic
papers. however. are entirely conf
dert on this point. Our delegation
will rank with the best that the old
the Cincinnati Enquirer is convinced;
and. whatever "it may lack in diplo-
matte fneSse," the Boston Post
thinks. cit should more than counter
balance in sheer ability to put home
whatever plan the administration
lean opinion"
Mr.. Harding's pondered and sound
judgment is shown conspicuously
once more" says the New York Times
independent democratic), especially
in the selection of Elihu Root. since
Ito Italy. France and Great Britain
no name could be more welcome" and
ito Japan it has a connotation of
old friendliness." to every one, In
fact, the Knoxville Sentinel (inde-
pendent democratic) thinks. 'the in
clusion of that name will
convey the most optimistic signifi-
cance." since "the American people
are prepared to trust to his patriotism
and to his high and disinterested
principles. as well as to his judgment"
Republican papers. notably the Mum
Gle independently Star and the Man
chester Union, emphasize the added
prestige which Root confers on the
delegation. especially in the opinion
of the foreign representatives.
The Springfield Republican. the
Asheville Times. the Newark News
and the Milwaukee Journal. independ-
ent, and the Louisville Courier-Jour-
cratic, protest the seating of the
senators in the conference. for rea-
sons which the Louisville paper
states thus:
Underwood and Lodge will sit as
judges on the treaties, which Under,
wood and Lodge. as representatives
of the President, have drawn and
signed. Their services in the Senate
will be mere formality. and if they
be actual as well as nominal leaders
of the Senate. the Senate's ratifica-
tion of the treaties will be a mere
formality."
But this technical objection" finds
no support from he Boston Globe
independently. the Ithaca Journal
News independently nor the st. Jo-
seph News Press independently.
which feel. to quote the Globe. that
this point of view is "hugging a rhol-
low fiction" to the extent of making
coordination between the executive
-u-k