Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-02
j. 6. SENATOR BORAH
WINS FIRST CLASH
WITH PRESIDENT
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Geased Wire Service to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1929


WASHINGTON, July 1.-Senator
Borah, Idaho, champion of disarma-
ment, stands out today as victor in
the first contest with the Harding adj
ministration.
Reluctant for reasons never divulg-
ed, the administration at first frown-
ed upon Mr.. Borah's efforts to push
the disarmament question to the
front, then conceded the point and
passed the word to Republican sena-
tors that no objection was enter
tanned to their support of the meas
ure, and finally made an effort
through Republican Leader Mondell,
of the house, to get a broad resolu-
ton passed which would cover mill
tary as well as naval disarmament.
That last proposal of the admin1stra-
ton finally was abandoned in the
house and the Borah resolution came
through with flying colors.
The reasons that lie back of the
administrations change of policy
have Lot been on the surface at all
and several Republicans who watch
ed the rising tide of disarmament
sentiment in the country have insist
ed that whatever the form which
the disarmament proposals may take
the house could not afford to get into
down the Borah idea Of a three-poW-
err conference-Great Britain, Japan
and the United States.
Presidents Hands Not Tied
The truth is the Borah resolution
doesn't prevent the executive from
summoning a conference of all the
powers nor does it inhibit Mr.. Hard
ing from including land armament
as well. The president has the right
to negotiate, with foreign powers
about any subject under TIE sun and
no matter what agreement he nego-
tiated congress would have the final
say as to the stoppage Of appropria-
lions for naval or military arma
n1ent.
The administration forces have
not relished the idea of being led by
Senator Borah. In the past all i'm
portant policies sanctioned by an adj
ministration have been initiated by
the spokesman Of the administration
in the house and senate. In this
case Senator Lodge took little part
in the proceedings. Republican Lead
err Mondells efforts to broaden the
resolution were abandoned. 1t was
decided to yield to Mr.. Borah.
Explanations given today vary
tive was to get congress busy on
much mere vital matters Of business
than II ere expression of opinion,
which, after all. is what the Borah
resolution does. 1t doesn't accom-
plish disarmament. 1t requests the
president to confer with ether pow
ers and discuss the matter. It's al
ways long way from discussion to
achievement ia foreign affairs.
G. o. P. Leadership Failing
NeI ertheless, the forcing of the ad-
ministration's hand on problem so
big in the public mind as disaf ma
ment, has not passed without sig
niticant comment on all sides to the
effect that Republican leadership in
congress is not making the most of
Republican opportunities,
The chance to grasp the diSarIna-
ment question and make it an admin
istration policy from the start was
politically an exc client ore. Mem
bers of the house recognized it by
tho ir refusal to Sidetrack the Boil
measure for any new proposition that
might mean q. delay in getting g. vote.
From all sides President Harding
has been urged from the very begin
ming of his administration to assume
the leadership in disarmament
pointed out that his opportunities to
heaviest part of their tax burdens
have been greater than that Vouch-
safed any American president.
The Idaho senator is not the kind
who will allow his resolution to be
passed and pigeon-holed. At the prop
err time he will make pertinent in
quiry as to the progress being made
in the negotiations. Mr.. Borah has
grasped a popular issue and will
tenaciously cling to it until some
thing concrete is ACCOMPLISHED.