The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-05-18
SENATORS ARE
WEAKENING ON
U. S. ISOLATION
'Die-hard" Scrappers Chang
ing-Even Lodge Not Such
an lrreconcilable as He Was
in the League Fight.
REALIZE OPPORTUNITY
by MARK SULLIVAN


refusal to go to The Hague did not
excite much surprise or disapproval,
even among those who are most criti-
cal of the administration European
policy as whole.
To get mixed up with the dregs of
the failure of the Genoa conference
after America had declined to partici-
pate in its beginnings would have
been illogical.
To attempt to accomplish anything
under the handicap of the animosities
that have now become attached to
Genoa, and after nearly all the nations
have taken fixed position one way
or the other, would have been foolish.
But If there is overwhelming assent
10 this action. there is equally general
belief that the time is at hand for
America to take a new and affirma-
i've step without Europe, to wipe the
table clear of the debris of Genoa and
all the other failures, and make a
fresh start with the United States
leading the way.
This feeling is not confined to the
old league of nation advocates. 1t is
almost general II is held strongly
even by some Republican leaders who
put the fortunes of the Harding ad
ministration above everything in Eu-
rope, but who now feel that too
prolonged continuance of the 'out of
Europe" policy will do serious dam
age to Harding's prestige.
That prestige rests on confidence in
Harding's personal reputation for good
faith as much as any other factor
And if Harding has meant anything by
his repeated declarations about an as
sociation of nations and about being
helpful to Europe.
Americas Opportunity.
Europe has tried everything she can
devise and has failed. America can
lay down a programme and Europe is
in a mood to accept it. Moreover, the
opportunity may not last long. From
now on everything that happens con-
tains some possibility of limiting
Americas capacity to do the things
that America ought to do and should
want to do. Moreover, some things
that may happen might embarrass
America seriously.
If the nations of Western Europe
should get together and agree on some
sort of recognition of Russia, omitting
America, Americans might have to do
some quick thinking to know what to
do about it. Everybody realizes these
things Nobody doubts that Harding
is willing to act whenever the condi-
tions are right.
The only restraining influence is
fear of the irreconcilable Republican
senators. And it is not fear of all OF
them. The irreconcilable Republican
senators include two groups. One
group consists roughly of Borah, La
Toilette and Johnson. But fear OF
these does not trouble the Republican
leaders much These senators are not
looked upon as orthodox Republicans
Real Restraint.
The real restraint comes from the
other group of Republican irreconcil
ables, men like Brandegee, of Con
necticut and Mccormick. of Illinois
These men. and especially Brandegee
are as suspicious of Europe. as they
ever were. Aside from these two most
of the other irreconcilables among the
orthodox Republican senators have
calmed down in their feelings. 1t is
doubtful if even Lodge is still to be re
garded as an irreconcilable in the
same sense as Mccormick and Bran
degee are.
If Harding should determine to take
some reasonable and moderate steI
about Europe, it is quite possible tha
the die-hard battalion of death oppo
sition to it might simmer down to Nc
Cormick and Brandegee.
Mccormick. of course, is in an es
pecially strong position to assert par
ty policy. Aside from his senator
ship, he is an important man within
the Republican organization. He i:
chairman of the committee charged
with laying down the policies and 9th
erwise managing the party effort t.
elect Republican senators this fall
Further than this, he is an able maj
who regards his position on public
affairs with strong feeling, and fight!
to the end.
Now Time to Act
1t is not an unreasonable guess tha
if Europe makes it clear that she de
sires America to lead her out of tn,
swamp and is willing to adopt tn
measures American proposes and t
accept American help in the form il
which America deems it wise to Civ
il. America may take an affirmative
step. If the step is guarded, as
will be, any opposition TO it on tn
part of the irreconcilable senator
probably wouldn't get very far.
IL SuOulu uS duuSu lLldI MndlCfS
America does about Europe will no
include any cancellation of Europe
debts to America. That would be un
wise, because the economic stabilit,
of the world is peculiarly involved il
recognizing international obligations
not in cancelling them. If the western
nations want Russia to acknowledg
her obligations, it would be illogica
to provide her with an example to tn
contrary.
Moreover. Americas cancellation @
the principal of those debts would b
impossible. American public opinio
would not sustain the administratio
in such an action But there are othe
things that a creditor can do TO max
II easier for his debtor to pay. Thi
last sentence does not imply the po!
sibility of American government loan
10 Europe Any financial help tha
goes from America to Europe, othe
! than things like contributions to Ru'
sian charities. must come through o.
dinary banking channels. (Copyrigh
1922 by The Evening Post, Inc, Me-
York;.