Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-27
THE CONSISTENCY OF BORAH

DEVOTION to principle has been a
- distinguishing feature Of William E.
Borah's political career. His critics,
who are in considerable abundance, may
allege that he had Topped from side to
side of not few paramount public
questions, but even documented proof on
this point cannot dislodge the fact that
the Senator from Idaho is the energetic
foe of all Administrations in power,
regardless Of their party complexion or
of the ideas which they may seek to
express and support. To find parallel
for undaunted consistency of this kind
one must revert to John Randolph, of
Roanoke
Mr.. Borah is nothing if not recalci-
trant. So long as Woodrow Wilson's
plan Of international cooperation exhib-
tied signs of vitality, the Idaho Senator
denounced it with all the bitterness at
his command But no sooner was it
wrecked than his violence perceptibly
subsidized and he was to be discovered
clamoring for disarmament. to the
accomplishment Of which the League Of
Nations was formally pledged.
The application Of one Of the League
ideas to the Washington Conference
might have troubled less indomitable
spirit than Mr.. Borah. But loyalty to
his own character endowment forbade
discouragement. When the Administra-
tion-made Washington treaties designed
to establish naval limitations and to sta
biii2e the situation in the Pacific reached
rejection.
Failing in this effort, he has watched
the struggles Of an Administration
singularly poor in effective spokesmen in
Congress to evolve foreign policy that
might work toward an adjustment of the
debt and rcparation problems. Mr.
Harding and Mr.. Hughes have been
wary of international pareys abroad
Mr.. Borah, once ranked as an arch-isola-
zionist, appears, therefore, as an advo-
cate Of such conclaves, especially urging
in his amendment to the Naval Appro-
priationS Bill an American call for an
economic conference.
Hiram Johnson, Medil Mccormick,
Reed Smoot and even Henry Cabot Lodge
are undisguisedly shocked. Forgetful of
the intensity Of the principle upon which
Mr.. Borah is apparently willing to
eXpend the last full measure of devotion,
the Californian in particular is as
man stunned or Senator profoundly
bewildered. Repeating the pattcr about
threats to the traditional" policy of
American exclusjveness, Mr.. Johnson is
amazed TO learn that his former
COW orker is not listening.
Mr.. Lodge, il is said is planning
drastic reservations to pulverize the pro-
gram Of Mr.. Borah, turned expansonist
If senatorial leadership of the gentleman
from Massachusetts during this Admin
istration were such as to inspire public
confidence, il is conceivable that Mr.
Borah might be disturbed But his resil-
iency and self-confidence seem almost to
provide an armor against charges Of
inconsistency. Mr. Borah has applied
the doctrine Of self-determination 10 his
own personality. The spectacle and all
the shifts Of opinion which il involves
might be deemed preposterous if the
debility Of Congress were not so pro-
nounced
It is safe to forecast that neither the
President nor his Secretary Of State is
going to be rushed into new foreign
policy before their plans are carefully
digested and authoritativeIy formulated
But in the midst Of the trials of the
executive Administration Congress can
not be counted upon to END much intelli-
gent assistance. The most significant
scene in the National Legislature today
is that enacted by Mr.. Borah in the act
Of being defantly true 70 himself