New-York tribune., 1921-06-27
Frances Attack
Causes Shock
In W asl,ington
Politicians Amazed Over
Maryland Senator'S Inter-
view In Berlin Assailing
Two Members of Cabinet
Faces Reelection Fight
Leaders i'm Home Stale As
sert His Radical Views Are
Certain TO Cause Defeat

Fgo,H The T'rSAans's Washington surean
WASHINGTON, June %. In view Of
tse fact that Senator Joseph T.. France,
ST Maryland, who has just received
peynission to enter Soviet Russia.
comes up for reelection next year, his
interview in Berlin denouneing Secre-
nrses Hughes and Hoover caused
snszement here to-day. The interview
sppeared In Novy Mir, the Beishevist
organ III Berlin.
Politicians have long wondered over
Nr. Frances extremely radical tenden-
eies, in view of the circumstances at
tending his election. 1t had been thought
hare however that the early action of
he Soviets in coeily declining to extend
Rim permission to enter Russia, de-
spise his speeches in favor of recog-
rizing Lenine and Trotzky in the Ser
ate before leaving this country, would
urn the Maryland radicals against the
Soviets
But his interview, as printed this
morning. would seem to show that his
Indignation against the 'capitalistie'
members of the Cabinet is Just as
great. as before he left Washington.
Il is a little bit unusual for Senators
to denounee publicly two members of
Cabinet of their party, SO that Mr..
Frances vigorous attack is the more
surprising.
Faces Strong Opposition
Fof Mr.. France will need every ounce
Of help he can get when the campaign
opens less than year from now
Maryland politicians say that he is
certain to have strong opposition in
the primary, and, even if nominated.
Maryland is such a solidly Democratic
state in normal times that the election
Of any Republican would be like carry
ing Tennessee and Oklahoma over
again Maryland has had Republican
Senator's before. but no Republican
Senator from Maryland has ever been
reelected in the States history.
Maryland politicians generally have
been astounded at Mr. Frances radi-
esissm for some tine. They point out
that he would never have been nomi-
Eateg L it had been thought at the
tine that there was q chance of any
Republican being elected. Then en-
sued. however, bitter factional fight
in the Democratic party, in which the
nd Democratic boss. Senator John
Walter Smith, pat up David J. Lewis to
derfive Senator Blair Lee Of the nornI-
nation. Lee had been trying to smash
ne Smith machine for years, so that
smith was really fighting for his life.
Lewis had represented the mining
district OF Maryland in the House for
several terms and was known through
out Maryland as the "father of the
parcel post In Baltimore he was re-
garded as practically Socialist, though
tie Smith machine in the city rolled
m tremendous vote for him, this be
ing really a vote against Blair Lees
aspirations TO state leadership.
Shocked by Frances Views
Then came the regular election, and
50 heavy was the cutting of Lewis be-
cause OF his sociatIstic views that he
vas defeated by France by more than
5000 although the state. gave Wood
row " wilson q majority of about 10000,
1t that time very little was known Of
France, He lad served in the State
Senate without attracting much atten-
ton. He was doctor. aud most of
lhe conservatives in Baltimore as
sumed from the fact that he was
wealthy that ne would entertain nc
such radical views as his opponent
Lewis, was known to hold Moreover
his wife. the widow of the Jacob Tome
who endowed Tome institute, was well
known and liked In Baltimore.
Since then the Baltimore conserva-
tiyes have been much shocked They
have found that not only is France
RADICAL but his brother edits a very
radical paper in the West. The poll
tieians say they would not like to bcs
very much money on his reelection.