South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-07-26
THE THREATENED SPLIT.
Springfield Republican,

1t is already clear that the presidents party in
the senate does not solidly approve his action in
broadening TO such an extent the scope of the dis
armament proposal. Sen. Borah will say nothing
publication, but II is understood that he adheree
without deviation his original view that the only
hope of securing at an early date results that could
be appreciated by the taxpayers conhne the
negotiad atoms to navies alone The question Of land
forces raises that Of Frances relations with
many and the future defense of the French from
tier, and is the belief of Mr.. Borah his sym
pathzers in the senate that France will not listen
to proposal that her army be reduced long
England and the United States fail TO ratfy the lin
ited-term defensive agreement to which Prest Will
assented when negotiating the Versailles treaty
Adding also to the agenda OF the coming confer
ence the whole body of knotty diplomatic problems
connected with the Pacific ocean and the orient
only increases the chagrin of the Borah group.
Some OF these questions very formidable, and in
vove the underlying ambitions and policies of the
great pacific powers. Even If a broad inclusive
agreement could be reached concerning these ques-
tOns. IL could never be than tentative, long
Russia had share in it; for it must be assumed
that the conference would absolutely reject
solution based on Japanese domination of eastern
Siberia. Yet agreement all vital Pacific and
oriental issues seems necessary before the ques
tion OF Limitation OF fleets could be reached.
a fundamental difference OF opinion may wei
be recognized. The administration maintains that
armament until the Pacific and far eastern interests
of the several powers are fully reconcied. 1t is an
open secret that the administration would not con-
sent to curtail warship construction If the Anglo
japanese alliance to be renewed for another
10-year period on the other hand those who be-
neve that pro slowing up Of naval construc-
ton is attainable without first solving all the i'm
portant problems OF power and trade that dis
turb the repose OF the nations. Sen Penrose even
went 50 far the other day say that the way 20
dsarm is to disarm, regardless OF whether any other
nation disarms
The difference between the administration and
Sen. Borah. however. is probably much deerer than
appears on the surface Every administration move
contemplates the ultimate objective Of reconstruc-
ton made necessary by the wreck involved in the
rejection OF the League OF Nations and the Yer
sailles treaty by the The surmise that this
conference would be utilized IL possible. the basis
OF Mr.. Hardings association OF nations has GER
tain facts support Il. The great powers invited
all members OF the supreme council OF Europe
and also members OF the council OF the League
OF Nations. Even China is represented the
council OF the League The big four the big
Eve" OF Paris in wilson's time could be brought
back 10 life at Washington. Obviously Mr.. Borah.
the intellectual and moral leader Of the Ameri-
isoatonists. has natural sympathy with a
plan that might be developed as bring forth
a league OF nations No 2.
The split already threatened in the senate chal-
lenges attention because agreement reached b.
the coming conference must take the form Of con-
vention and that convention. however narrow In
scope. mus: be submitted the senate for ratihca-
ton. That is 10 say the agreement finally reached
will be sterile II one-third the rlus one
senator vote against it. We may yet see this admin
istration initiating a movement amend the con-
stitution that a majority OF the senate may De
sufficient TO approve treaties,