Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-26
BORAH. The ISOLATED

TNIlE simon pure, all wool, narrow gauge.
l. never say die political specimens OF
irrcconCilability in the matter of making
peace treaties have shrunk into the person
of n single individual. William E. Borah,
of Idaho.
Mr. Borah in effect challenges to combat
any Senator venturng TO deny that Mr..
Harding's tentative plan "to engage under
the existing treaty - Of Versailles - has
taken definite shape in the new paCts lately
negotiated with Germany and what remains
of Austria and Hungary.
As matter of fact. the gentleman from
Idaho is logical upon this point. and 1t is
amusing to note the mental Contortions of
his former confederate. Hiram Johnson,
endcavoring to convince himself that these
treaties. which refer directly to n long array
Of articles in the Versailles covenant for
details, are tantamount to reputation of
that document.
1t is too late, however. much too late, to
speak Of Inconsistencies. The Senate. with
the exception of one member. is at last re-
spending to the claims of common sense.
The German Treaty, with its categorical
reliance upon the Versailles achievement, is
headed for early passage. President Hard
ing and Secretary Hughes have theoretically
cmancipated the United States from Euro
pean concerns, at the same time practically
recognizing the only machinery enabling us
to adjust our outside relations.
1t is evident that the idioccS Of another
treaty fight will not BE- repeated on any
formidable scale. Eventual Democratic
support of the treaties is cxpccted-accom-
panied, perhaps, with n final plea for en-
trance into the League of Nations. which
will. under present conditions, go un-
needed.
The new harmony cannot fail to be a
heartfelt relief to n public utterly sick OF
obstructionism for its own miserable sake.
MIR. llnrding's mood is apparently identical.
since he is even disposed to acQuiPscence
regarding the most important of the two
amendments attached to the favorable report
upon the treaties by tho Senate Foreign
Relations Committee
Henry Cabot Lodge. author Of a similar
reservation included among his treaty
crushing hroadsidc Of fifteen amendments
proposed in November. 1919. is the spokeS-
man for this edited proviSo. Therein scna-
torial pride" is safeguarded by resolution
requiring the passage of an act of Congress
+" validate the participation Of the United
States in committees and commissions ere
atod under the Versailles Treaty and CON
seQuently. senatorial confirmation Of such
anpontees as may be chosen by the Prcsi-
dent.
In a contest between tho Chief Executive
and congress, such n CUrtailmCnt of his
powers might COnccivably be of paralyzing
effect But Mr.. Harding is on excellent
terms with the National Legislature and
there is only the faintest possibility that his
nominations will be turned down. The pro-
posed restriction on his authority will in
practice resemble that which exists in the
case Of appointments Of cnvoys to foreign
nations.
The other recommendation is illustrative
Of the SenatN's fine feeling for shades Of
vcrbiagC and its respect for the meticulous
loCutions of Phlander G. Knox. According
to the reservation offered by Senator Pom
creme and approved by tho committee, the
words United States shall be construed to
mean the United States and its nationals
when I use word" remarks Il char
acter in Through the Looking Glass" 'it
means just what I choose it to mean
nothing more nor less oh, very we'll is
possibly the mental comment Of the State
Department.
1t will be necessary. Of course. for Ger
many, Austria and Hungary to sanction
these amendments il the treaties arc to be
passed. But since the first addition IS en-
tircly domestic in significance and the second
chiefly concerns the niceticS Of language. no
opposition is forcshadOwPd abroad.
The isolation of Mr.. Borah. the sole
dissentcr in the Foreign Relations Commit
tee. is definite but it can scarcely be called
magnificent. 1t is beginning to look as
though a nation which engages in a foreign
war must eventually concern itself with
some Of its foreign consequences