The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-05-12
B0RAH Wish
TO D|SARM
ONLY HITCH
Is Only Difference Between
President and Congress
May Cause Real Embarrass-
ment-Borah Earnest.
MOVE SURE TO COME
BY MARK SULLIVAN


Harding and congress that promises
real embarrassment to him is Sena-
tor Borah's fight on disarmament
THERE'S no real difference over what
President Harding has just done in
Europe. The senators are reconciled
to that so far as it goes. 1t is pos
sible that in time participation in
European affairs may reach a point
where the irreconcilable senators will
fight again but that isn't likely.
On disarmament. however, there is
the possibility of real embarrassment
for President Harding. Senator Borah
is going to press his resolution, and
either in the senate or in the house
or both there is enough sentiment in
favor of disarmament to make Borahs
fight successful. That sentiment may
not show itself Immediately. Very
much of it will be restrained by a feel
ing of generosity toward President
Harding of not wishing to embarrass
him.
sorah Urges Action
Just what is the distinction between
President Harding and Senator Borah
on disarmament is hard to define
President Harding says he favors dis
armament, and President Harding
never says what he doesn't mean
President Harding says that in the
course of time when the conditions
are ripe and the occasion is becoming,
he will take steps toward disarma-
ment. Senator Borah and those who
follow him think there is no reason
why those steps should not be taken
Immediately.
1t is difficult to say concretely what
reasons President Harding has for
postponing his initiative towards a
disarmament agreement. His reasons
may be no more important than the
mere fact that he is busy with many
other things. In his talks with sena-
tors favoring disarmament who have
gone to see him President Harding
has convinced them of his sympathy
with the idea, but as for taking an I'M.
mediate step, he has the hesitancy
which man in a position of respon-
sibility~often~ has, compared with an
other man who is really propaganda
list for cause that is near his heart.
May Welcome Fight
It may we'll be that President Hard
ing will welcome Senator Borah's s
fight. that he will be glad to have
his hand forced and to have an over
whelming expression Of public opinion
demanding that he make the move to-
ward disarmament. Nobody doubts
that the bulk of the American people
want an agreement for disarmament
Nobody doubts that the British people
want an agreement fer disarmament
Nobody doubts that the Japanese
people want it. These are the only
three nations concerned.
In addition to the peoples Of these
rations many of their statesmen want
disarmament But others of the
statesmen of these three countries
are restrained by natural conserva
tisn. by the hesitancy that often goes
with responsibility. or by the tenn
permanent that waits for some one else
to take the first step.
Face Danger
The danger that faces President
Harding and the United States is thai
if he fails to take a step towards dis
armament by agreement among the
three nations the result may be thai
the American people will become i'm
patient and begin disarmament sepa
rately That would be a pity. NJ
responsible person wants to see the
United States disarmed while Japar
and Great Britain go on with then
great naval programs.
The only way to forestall an impat
lent and headlong demand for disarma
ment on the part Of the people of the
United States is to satisfy the people
by taking the first step towards al
agreement among the nations.
There is unmistakable vitality II
the determination on the part Of tho
people of the United States. 1t is re
Elected in the hearts of congress ant
sooner or later it will be reflected
in the votes of congress. Congress:
wants to be patient.
All Like Harding.
The coneressmen all like PreSiden
Harding. Thev sympathize with hi:
dificulties. They would rather do al
most ANYTHING in the world than EN-
harrass him or make trouble for him
but sooner or later they will take th'
step towards disarmament unless h'
does it first.
Party leaders know well how formid
able the coming church movement to
wards disarmament may be. Such ;
determination and such step on th'
part of great numbers of persons in
spired with religious passion Nigh
we'll turn out to be that spiritual sol
vent of the worlds trouble which
many claim must come sooner o.
later. The man who had much to d,
with starting this church movement
General Pasker H. Bliss. is one o
those figures whose personality il
much bigger than the public know
edge of it.
He was. as everybody knows, one o
the American commissioners to th
peace conference and. as few pee
ple know. he was one of the mos
courageous and wisest men in Pari
for a generation.
In one way or another. usually as
soldier of the highest reputation, bu
occasionally as a civilian servant wit
important duties. General Bliss ha
been contributing wisdom and sure
footed idealism to the public busines
of the United States.
Letter to Churches.
In his letter to the churches. GeneI
al Bliss said: IF the churches car
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