Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-04-14
In Troubled Waters

l. loyal Americans, no matter what their
political faith. hope for the success OF the
Harding administration That is as true OF
his international policies, however they may
he shaped eventually as it is of his course
toward domestic issues. The two cannot be
ASSOCIATED, as many persons, including Mr..
Harding, seem fatuously to believe, for,
with few exceptions, International and do
mestic issues are. so inex,ricably interlaccd
that the latter must in large degree wait
upon final solution OF the former. Sound
Americanism prevails in the ranks Of the
Democratic party, and it will intcrpose no
obstacles 10 the Harding program--even il
its opposition could be made effective in the
face OF Overwhelming majoritics--so long
as that program, even remotely promises
a restoration OF stable conditions consonant
with good craftsmanship and the national
honor
So, then, Mr. Harding enters upon his ac-
tive administration with his own party in
rndsputed control of every depa ri mcnL and
with an opposition prepared TO he sympa-
thetic toward any sound constructive step
he may propose. Conditions would seem to
be propitious for his administration, but
already the cross currents are running
strong in the Republican ranks, and the
President thus early gives signs of found
~
evident tina, it is going to require a strong
and steady hand TO steer this administra-
ton through the political whirlpools now be-
ginning 10 swirl dangerously and If Mr.
Harding possesses such n hand he has as vet
rallied TO demonstrate il. AS he wohhled
through his campaign, just so apparently
ne Is webbing now. as is evidenced i'm his
hrst message 10 Congress, hoping to CON
ciiiatc conflicting elements instead Of chart
Ing a definite courese and tforcing them to
follow his leadership
~ schism in Mr. Harding's own party
Is in sight. international relations the rock
OF which i, is about 10 split Neither the
1rreconcilabies nor the reseryationists arc
satisfied with his attitude on the Versailles
treaty, even If it be granted that anyone
can determine from his message Just what
tH"t attitude is. Mr.. Hughes and Mr.
hoover boin OF them now in his Cabinet.
anu rtner !cading reserrationists among the
'p'o!'c"hS' loudly proclaimed during tha
campaign that vote for Harding wac n
vote for international co-oncr.,ior -, 49,,
mote peace" They can hardly behave ,b.
Mf' harcing's present stand for - na,co
Win Germany by resolution. with 9 do,,;,o
ana maj rejection OF the lcaEue covcn,p,
Is hopela step toward The consummatio,
'hdt 'HS? promised the voters NatrraI,,
the! zee! ihhi they have been BETRAYED q,
the 0'hef hand Senators Johnson. Rorar
and the other little Alpericans." while an
parenily they have dominated the presidon,
arc far from satisfied with his iutimatior
That certain parts OF the Versailles ,roa,,
can be salvaEed. They want tho ,vhnl
thing GHoeremoniousiy Kicked overheard
and they are charging the Presiden, ,yi,,
leaning over too far in the direction of ~.
HugheSes and the Hooyers
The lot OF the new President. then. is no
happy one. While nothing more Tangible
han promises was necessary. he manage,
. 10 wriggle through. but now in the day O
actual execution, no weathcr-vane attitud
viii sufiice strong. aggressive man i,
! the Write Eousc-a Roosevelt, for instanc
might club his way through successfully
but it is doubtful II Mr. Harding possessc
or can develop those qualities. Laokin
Z them, he will accomplish more than eve
his friends expect IL he manages to avert a
, outright split in his own party.
One great outstanding weakness in MI
Harding position is lack of public faith i
Il his ability TO do what he has promised I
4 dc once peace with Germany BY rcsolntio
3 is Proclaimed. Few believe that ne ga
force upon Germany acceptance Of only sue
! parts Of the treaty as the United States ma
desire 10 retify, and still fewer are $
4 credulous as to believe that lie can hoi
Z the United States back into tina, world LEAF
gsss ershsr WAich il SO csreicEs,v ,creqi awe
81 and, standing with Germany and Russia GU
81