Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-29
TUESDAY. NOVEMBER %. 1921.
Borah Not Hoodwinked

@ ENATOR BORAH has spoken. His OPP
y position 10 President Harding's sug-
gestiqn OF an association of nations was
tritie Slow IN getting under way, but 1t is
none the less vigorous. Now that he has
registered his unqualified disapproval OF
this latest international scheme, the john
sons and other irreconciables have their
cue and the lines will be faulty drawn.
While all may not admire the Senator from
Idaho, there can he no getting away from
the fact that many of his arguments pre-
sented against an association of nations are
sound and certain to prove strikingly eff
fectivc should the presidential suggestions
threaten to go beyond the dream stage.
Dorah will not lack followers in his as
sertion that ''If the American people choose
{ league they Will choose one which has
its powers defined or, at least, an attempt
to define them, rather than trust their des-
tiny to the unbrdled discretion of few
men" In other words, Borah would prefer
the Wilson league OF nations, with its con-
5titutional, orderly functiOnng, to the Hard
ing association that il is proposed to erect
without machinery, without teeth, without
power TO enforce It's decrees it's whole
structure erected on the uncertain, sandy
foundation Of gcntcmens agreement But
while he prefers the Wilson league to the
Harding association the former is still
anathema 10 the Senator, which means that
he viii be found fighting as bitterly and
perhaps just as effectively against the Hard
ing plan which Ne. Root wrote into the G.
o. p. platform, as he did to kill the league
Mr.. Harding will hardly dare go to the limit
of putting through his scheme OF a gentle
mems agreement, thereby ignoring the Sem
ate and multiplying ~.SenatSria opposition
since he knows the 'irreconcilables would
ytyNt |,
try in the next general elections
The presidential proposal is meeting with
the reception that Mr.. Harding might have
expected IL 10 meet. The irreconcilables
are not to be caught mapping The Senate
will not be fooled by the specious reasoning
by which the President would depriye il
OF It's constitutional prerogatives, and what
Is more TO the point, the European powers
are Jnsllhcd IN viewing with suspicion any
suggestions this nation may advance along
aSsoc!ational lines. They are wisely giyin p
their allegiance to the going league OF ma
lions and refusing to entertain plans for =
rival league until the United States. which
through It's senate, once deceived and dis.
appointed them. shall formally and ire
Nocaoiy give ITS approval to this at present
hsioh"'S schcine Should Mr.. Harding
realize the fuNlity OF pressing his gentle
mems agreement as a subterfure and sub.
init MS pan TO the Senate for approval. he
might receive tile senatorial sanction in
spite OF the league haters, by aid Of the
votes OF Democrats whose patriotism tran
j scends politics. But even If tho association
plan eventually be accepted it will be with
the thought that ii is counterfeit, though
perhaps not without its good points fois,ad
upon the country in place of the solid 9Th.
stance which the Republican politicians
condemned TO disaster.