New-York tribune., 1922-04-10

point, if the Republicans lose any
thing like that many seats in the eec-
ton this fall, after n campaign in
which the League Of Nations has been
I the paramount issue. then the League
Of Nations is the logical issue for the
1924 Democratic Presidential fight.
Tho mere fact that the electorate may
actually not be interested in the
League of Nations issue. and that this
ques stion. would be held in top place
by the force Of the supporters Of Will
son and Cox. will not interfere with
this argument as 1924 grows near.
Out After Underwood's Scalp
Tho Wilson and Cox elements Of the
Democratic party also are eager to
shelve Senator Oscar W. Underwood,
who not only served for President
Harding on the American delegation at
the Washington conference but aided
tremendously in forcing ratification of
the Washington conference treaties by
the Senate. Senator'S Hitchcock and
Walsh, of Montana, talked loud and
long for the Wilson league. And Sem
ator Williams, of Mississippi, while
supporting the Washington conference
program, declared that the league will
continue to be an issue until this
country becomes q member. He went
so far as to say the Democratic party
would continue to champion the league
until crowned with success, or there
would be new party to put us into
the league. Senator Williams. it is
felt now, was merely speaking what is
in the minds of the leaders OF the
party. the men who may make the
campaign to unScat the Republican ma
jorities.
With the League Of Nations as the
tig issue. Republican leaders do not
fear the results in November. If there
ls one thing the average American vo-
get, IN their opinion, it is the league
issue. That question. thev saw was
settled nearly two years ago by a
majority of seven millions.
President Harding, promising to dis
card the league idea aud pledging a
new course OF international dcalinps,
fas made good, the Republicans cen
tend, and the people are satisfied with
the results of the Washington confer
ence. Practical results. such as thc
reduction of navies and the naval holi
Day they say, appeal much more to the
voter than promise that prosperitv
Wlll come as soon as this country right
about-faces and goes tripping into the
iFdSuc.
Not Optimistic Over Record
If the Congressional contests can ba
icught on international issues. with
their consequent effect on domestic
conditions, the Republicans appear to
be cocksure Of the results. The HING
they really fear IL an attack upon the
Eepubncan record on Capitol Hill the
last three years. They are not opti
mistlc as to the view the country NAV
take OF their record 50 far as taxes
and tarlH are concerned. The tax re-
VISION measure was a makeshift. and
aiready plans are under way for
further reHlsions because OF it's many
unsatisfactory provisions Tariff legis-
latlon has been hanging fire now for
about year and the Senate Finance
Committee finally has completed con
sideration Of the Fordnoy bill, which
was passed by the House nearly ten
months ago.
WITH the Democrats pushing the
league issue TO the front, the economic
issue naturally will fall into second
place. The Republicans will do every
thing in their power to concentrate
public thought on international oues-
tlons. 1t will be much easier for them
to WALTON The Wilson league than 10
explain their failures on the tax and
tariff questions.