New-York tribune., 1922-12-31
BOrah Swings Farm Bloc
Behind Harding to Aid
Europe as Best Way
of Opening Up Markets
Congress May Lift
Debt Funding Bars
Idaho Senator'S Maneuver
Draws In Democrats
to Help Administration
By Carter Field


tonight Is we'll started on the road to-
ward aiding Europe 20 work out OF the
tangled mess this country abandoned
when the Versailles treaty was rejected.
Tho way has been smoothed TO an al
mcst unbelievable extent, observers
here declare. by Senator William h.
Borah, who probably more than any
other one person, save Woodrow VIII
son himself. helped 90 isolate America
In 1919 and 1920.
Dispatches tonight reveal that
France does not approve the proposal
Of the Harding Administration. The
immediate effect Of this will be delay,
n Is admitted here. but no reaction IN
Europe 10 the gesture just made by the
Administration will obscure or dimin-
ish the Importance Of tho fact { nat the
United States Senate has marched up
to the very brink Of aiding Europe 70
settle her troubles
Meantime the Presidents hands were
further strengthened by the fact that
majority Of the Administration Sena'
tors are frankly favorable 20 the
Hughes proposals. This attitude was
made plain to-day by informal state
ments Of some Of the members.
BorRh's Aid Amazing Fact
The amazing fact Of the whole situa-
tion is that Borah, the irreconoilable'
has by this maneuver, which az hrst
,eemed so embarrassing 10 the Harding
Administration, not only aided N
sroothing the path OF this govern
ment's international policy but has
aided just IA materially in solving per
hans the most serious Of its domestic
and political diffcultes.
The light started b. Mr. Borah when
he introduced his resolution calling Tor
an international economic conference
split the radical and farm blocs apart.
and rave The farm bloc element q new
effective When It's members came
storming 90 Washington right after
election their great cry was downward
revision of the railroad rates I'M
patience 10 the tariff ns cutting
of Europc's buying power, and re-
sentiment generally at the Administra-
tion. They wanted better prices Tor
farm products, as a matter Of fact
and most Of their plans and policies
whether foreign or domestic, had bet.
ter prices for the farmer as tneir real
purpose.
Awakened Farm Bloc
Debate over the Borah resolution
swung the farm bloc, almost en- masse'
10 a realisation that after all II was
the unsold foodstufs in this country
resulting from inability Of Eu-
rome 20 buy, which was causing
the distress in the West and
Northwest. They have not admitted
any intention 90 abandon their attacks
on the railroads nor their desire 20
reduce freight rates, but they know
perfectly well that If this government
should take part In an economic settle
ment in Europe which would permit
Germany 20 buy the 90,OOOOOO bushels
OF wheat she needs 90 keep her citizens
from starving this spring it would be
Of more benefit 20 the farmers than
any possible slash in the railroad rates.
This explains the rush Of such Sem
ators az Capper, Of Kansas, and Brook
hart. Of Iowa, for the Borah band
wagon. 10 explains why there were
enough votes TO have passed the Borah
amendment III the Administration had
not forestalled final action by reveal
ing q part Of its plan and stating that
the uctlon pFvP"s'" M"NsN
rass II.
Just few weeks ago virtually every
politician in the country was speculat-
ing on the effect Of this radieal-farm
bloc combination on the next Presiden-
tial election. Bringing home 10 the
farm bloc members the necessity Of
settling the European question II their
states arc 20 sell their grain has
turned the whole discussion into diff
fercnt channel. .
The question Of settling the Allied
dents has received n similar impetus
because Of the sham battle brought
about by the Borah amendment. Rush
ing 20 Washington right after the cleo
tion all Of the Westerners seemed I'M.
bued with the idea that thu dcst could
be collected az once II only the Admin
istration would take a frm stand; This
debate, however, Las given the Presi-
dent a wonderful opportunity 70 ask
Congrlss, with some chance OF his fe-
quest being complied with, 70 remove
the erippling restrictions imposed by
Il on the debt commission.
No one in the Administration, from
fcsntiausd On nsn paesl