New-York tribune., 1922-12-25
Clash Between BOrah and
Johnson Factions Over
u. S. Entry Into Europe
May Shatier Alliance
Midwest Demands
Market for Crops
Labor Less Anxious for
Trade Revival, Fearing
Foreign Competition
By Carter Field

hand. and the desire 20 maintain
American isolation, on the other,
members Of the farm and radical
blocs to-day discovered themselves 70
be marching IN opposite directions
Senator Borah. whose specially is
leading a vigorous minority fight.
has smashed the alliance between
the farmers and the radicals just
as il appeared 10 be coming into en-
joyment Of the fruits Of the recent
election. His resolution In effect
sidetracked some Of his prejudiees
against America aiding in the
solution Of European problems In
order that the right of way might
be given to Western fam products
clamoring for export.
This delighted every member %
the farm bloc who Is for the farmer
first and radical only on such meaS
ures as the farmers Of his state de-
sire. As between restoration Of ths
European market for the products o.
their constituents and any legislatiy.
means for bolstering up Che fsrmers
in the mean time there IL no choice,
80 far as they are concerned. They
know the value Of the market abroad.
The other means OF relief T. promis'
ing-but not certain.
Value Of Credits Doubted
A matter Of fact there II a con
siderable element, even among the
Senators and Representatives from the
farm states. who down In their hearts
are not convinced that an extension %
further credits 20 the farmers Is going
20 be something % boast about 90
farmer audience on the stump two
Ayea1 hence.
There is fear-unspoken among
them save behind closed doors-that
giving the farmers Of the countrr
large additional governmental credits
at the present time is akin 20 admin.
ister.ng morphine % a wounded man.
Unless the real trouble is corrected
before the effect of tho narcotic wears
of, the farmer may be worse OF when
his new loans come due. or even when
the interest dates approach.
Every one In Washington, from Presi.
dent Harding down, realizes that the
best thing possible, from an economic
point Of view, not only FOR the farmer
but for every one else IN this country,
Is 20 reopen the European markets
This not only will take care of the
present surplus Of grain and sneour-
age the farmers as 20 next years crops
but will speed up business generally
BY increasing the buying power Of the
farmers.
There are many other motives, in.
cluding an altruistic desire 10 AID Eu-
and selfish, 20 prevent the breaking
out Of another war In Europe which
might again involve the world
But this desire for markets for
American farm products is the big
motive which has split the radical and
farm blocs, with Borah and Cappsr
championing the farm side and
Hiram johnson leading the radicals
Johnson may be maintaining q con
sistent stand but Capper is admit
tedly one Of the best listeners 10 ths
voice Of his constituents In Congress.
Trade In Mind Urged
Another very interesting develop
ment in this split between the radical
and farm bloc, though not quite 80 ap.
parent on the surface, Is with regard
10 importstions Of goods from Europe
There has been very loud elamor
reaching Washington from the Wss,
and Northwest for trade in kind" for
some months now, but especially since
election.
The farmers from Kansas. Minnoaota
and the rest Of the Middle West are
not worried about competition Of Ger
man toys, dyes, machinery and fertil'
I izer materials with American products
az all. They have been pretty well
convinced that the Germans have no
gold, and that their credit Is not good.
Therefore they are asking. according
/ to hosts Of reports reaching here, why
not send our foodstuhs over there ard
barter them for their goods which We
needl
This agitation, which beyond cues.
tion IL assuming real proportions, has
been encouraged by two things The
/ Democrats made a terrific drive again,'
/ the present tariff, aided BY some Of the
progressive Republicans. This seemed
rather effective through the wheat aLd
corn belts; especially the farmers are
very bitter about having 10 pay such
high retail prices for everything they
are buying, while the prices Of their
products have tumbled.
So the farmers are not only eager
for markets for their grain, but they
/ are anxious 20 bring in some cheaper
"stors goods" And there is very lit
/ tie concern diseenible as 90 What the
effect may be on the manufacturer
| back East.
Highly interesting in this connse-
I ton. in view Of the wedge being
/ driven between tho radical and farm
/ bioes. Is the fact that Senator Hiram
Johnson, now leading the radical bios
against the farm campaign for proyid'
ing A European market, did not join
ire progressive element which fought
The tariff bill. On the contrary, John
son arranged for high duties on lem
ons. nuts and other California prod.
nets. and then supported the tarih bill
without u murmur
A gloomy picture Of eheaply pro-
duced European goods closing Amer.
ican factories and enabling capita
a. work lis will with labor Is held
M by the radicals whenever the sub
ieet is discussed. And right here. u
n pointed out, IL the fundamental con
Alet Of interests which. in the opih.
ion OF observers here, made the union
OF the farm and radical bloes uAnet-
4 - A.