The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-07-01
HARDING BEATEN
OUT BY BORAH
Disarmament Vote Really
i'm Advance of Presi-
dents Ideas
NO ADMINISTRATION
LEADER ACTIVE
Congress Expressed Its Own VIII in
the Administration Free to Call
Worldwide Conference III He Desires
Some Action Necessary.

Some Action Necessary.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Dispatch to The Reformer)
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-Senator
Borah of Idaho, champion of disarma-
ment. stands out today as victor in the
first contest with the Harding admins
tration. Reluctant for reasons never di-
vulged. the administration at first frowned
upon Mr. Borahs efforts to push the dis
armament question to the front, then
conceded the point and passed the word to
Republican senator's that no objection was
entertained to their support of the meas
ure and finally made an effort through
Republican Leader Mondell, of the house,
to get broad resolution passed which
would cover military, as well as naval,
disarmament. That last proposal of the
administration was finally abandoned In
| the house and the Borah resolution came
| through with flying coiors.
The reasons that lie back of the admin
| istrations change of policy have not been
on the surface at all and several Repub-
hcans who watched the rising tide of dis
armament sentiment in the country have
insisted that whatever the form which
the disarmament proposals may take the
house could not afford to get into a tangle
ION the question by voting down the Borah
| idea of a three-power 'confercnce-Great
Britain. Japan and the United States.
The truth is the BOrah resolution
doesn't prevent the executive from sum-
lmouing a conference of all the powers nor
does it inhibit Mr.. Harding from inclutl-
ling land armament az we'll The Presi-
/ dcnt has the right to negotiate with for
| eign powers about any subject under the
sun and no matter what agreement he
negotiated congress would have the final
| say az to the stoppage of appropriations
for naval and military armament.
DO Not Like BOrah.
The administration forces have not rel
tishcd the idea of being led by Senator
Borah. In the past all important policies
Sanctioned by an administration have
| been initiated by the spokesman of the
administration in the house or senate. In
| this case Senator Lodge took little part
( in the proceedings. Republican Leader
Mondells efforts to broaden the resolu-
ton were abandoned. 1t was decided to
| yield to Mr.. Borah.
Explanations giYena today vary. Some
said the desire of the executive was to
| get congress busy on much more vital
matters of business than a. mere express
sion of opinion which, after all, IS what
the Borah resolution does. 1t doesn't ac-
complish disarmament. 1t requests the
President to confer with other powers
and discuss the matter. It's always a
long way. from discussion to achievement
in foreign affairs.
Nevertheless. the forcing of the admin
iStration's hand on a problem so big in
the public mind as disarmament has not
happened without significant 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 disarmament question
and make it an administration policy
from the start was politically an excel
lent one. Members of the house recog
nized it by their refusal to sidetrack the
Borah measure for any new proposition
that might mean a delay in getting a
vote.