The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-09-17
|. O.P. WOULD LIKE
 TOSEE DEMOCRATS
 WORK FOR LEAGUE
Republicans Are Disappointed That Cox Did Not Press lS-
 Sue-Debt Cancellation
By HUGH W. ROBERTS Washington Bureau, The Agc-Herald,
 500 Davidson Buildin


 500 Davidson Building.
 Washington, September l6.-(Spe- cial.)-Republican politicians are under the mpression-which may be a delusion-that their chance of sue cess iA forthcoming congressional campaigns would be materially bet tered if they could saddle on demo- cratic candidates any phase of so- called 'anternationalism."
 Republican politicians were great ly disappointed when James M. Cox. on returning from Europe last week. declared that the present was not the time to thrust the League of Ma tions Into politics as live American issue. Their disappointment was somewhat modified, however, when Mir. Cox declared in such fervent lan- suaae that the United States shout be patient respecting the European debt, that he gave rise to the theory that he would cancel such debt.
 Senator Medill Mccormick of Illi- nois has attempted to make capital of the alleged attitude of Cox. and In his campaign for the reelection of republican senators is asking demo- cratic senators if they sponsor a debt cancellation.
 Democrats as Unit
 With the possible exception or Cox, there is no democrat of national standing who has publicly declared a desire that European countries be re- lieved of their $i1,000,000,000 obliga- tion to the United States.
 When Senator Simmons of Nor | Carolina offered an amendment to the bonus bill providing that the debt" to the soldiers be discharged by funds collected as interest from Europe every democratic senator sup ported that amendment. They did so simply fin order that they might be on record as favoring the collection of the debt, and not in belief that the amendment would ever weather the conference between the two houses. or even that its adoption would be statesmanlike.
 While there Is no question about the attitude of democrats as party, there is doubt as to the best method of proceeding toward the collection of the debt or the interest on the debt.
 Cox and Baruch
 There is sharp difft renee of opinion on the subject If whether or not Eu- rope could fepay the United States at the present time. Cox declares that Europe would bankrupt itself. and that the United States, h forcing im- mediate payment. would emulate the idiot who killed the goose which lad the golden egg, and who cut off his nose because he was sore with his face.
 On the other hand. Bernard Ba ruch, the well known financier. YH letter addressed to Senator Borah of I6aho. declared In unequivocal terms that England and France could pay in mediately If they 80 desired. He argued that If Ge. many. wh, J fuffi- ciently threatened. could temporarily adjust its obligation to England and Fr nee, England and France could discharge It's debt to the United States.
 The gen eral impre. sion in Congress Aaems to ! that tie wise course would be to secure from England and France an agreement under the terms of which interest yould be paid reg ularly and the debt retired by an nual partial payments.
 At the same time, there are two senators who entertain different views. Senator ]. Thomas Heflin or Alabama has expressed belief in the Senate that the deDt could De ellIni : mated simply by an 'insistence" on the part of the United States.
 Hefiin and Watson
 Senator Thomas E. Watson of Georgia is more aggressive and dra- matic. He would seize and hold a ship of England and a ship Of France. and a ship of BelNlum, and ship of Italy. and a ship of each the other nations which owe the United States money If such an act should lead to war. Senator Watson would fight.
 While Senator Heflin was quick to qualify his phrase involving insist ence" by a declaration that he was not suggesting war, no other senator agreed that by the mere presentation of an I, 0. U.. England and France would throw wide it's coffers. Like wise Senator Watson has no ally in the Senate who would throw this country into doubtful war against England and France. which would kill off the youth of the land and i'm pose cost burden of millions upon billions. for the sole object of col lection of sum of money lent for