The Colorado statesman., 1923-09-22

reparations. Developments III rhe i,unr,
possibilities of trouble because ot dis
agreements between the allies, and
other things formidably fOrbidding on
the other side of the water seeming
ly have produced no effect and are
likely to produce none upon the minds
of those who think in terms of Amer
lea First" Washington fully hFheves
now that despite former reports to the
contrary. President Coolidge does not
intend to offer any plan of his own
for America to intervene diplomnticni-
ly or otherwise in Europe.
The Republicans here seem 10 he
divided on the political wisdom o'
complete isolation. There was re
cent word from the White House on
world affairs which unquestionably wns
authentic to the effect that the Pres
ident had decided To make no change
whatever in the foreign policy of the
United States. Some of the Repub'
licans say that II is II good thing that
Mr.. Coolidge has such high sense
of his American duty; while others
say that the isolation policy is selfish
one and that in the end ii will multi
ply the domestic difficulties of the
United S:.,tcs.
Ehoegh to Do at Hume.
Republicans who expressed them
selves as pleased with the White House
statement of contentment with the
present American policy say that with
domestic affairs as they are, coal. ag-
riculture, railroads and other things
only less vexing. the Presideat Will
have nothing to do but to attend to
home matters.
Some of the politicians seem to have
mistaken completely the Presidents
original feelings on matters concern
ing foreign relations. In letters from
Washington it has been said before
this that men who knew the Presi-
dent when he was governor of Massa-
chusetts had been ready TO declare
that at one time he was favorable in
part to the Wilson foreign policies.
The truth seems to be that no man
has ever heard President Coolidge de-
clare himself strongly upon the sub
ject of what America should do to
help Europe out of its hole. Some
men have declared him to be League
of Nations sympathizer, while others
have said he is and has been an isola-
ZIONIST. Today it appears that the
President intends to let the American
policy stay where it is for some time
to come, at lest.
The politicians seemingly are con-
vinced that when congress meets the
world court proposal will be considered
and disposed of after the manner in
which consideration and disposal
would have come had not President
Harding died. There are few of the
politicians, however. who believe that
the President may make special eff
fort to secure sanction of the Harding
court plan.
Its Influence on Politics.
Looking at the thing from the stand
point of politics, politicians say that
President Coolidge will profit largely
in New England by his recent indi-
rect but nevertheless direct word that
no change whatever is intended in the
policy of the United States govern
ment toward European affairs. If the
President shall attempt nothing, even
in the way OF suggestion for the re-
lief of Europe except that which al
ready has been suggested in the terms
of the plan for world court member
ship, the politicians say that New Eng
land will be for him solidly in the
next Republican convention; but that
If he shall attempt to defy the isola-
tionists in any other particular, he
will lose the support of his home land.
Today the President, seemingly, has
a fairly clear political field ahead of
him. The letter which was written
by Senator Johnson of California and
which has been made public, appar-
emily without the senator's permission,
may remove from the field the Presi-
dents most formidable rival for tine
nomination. 1t will not be at all dir
ficult for the Johnson element in the
party to support Coolidge, provided the
latter goes no further afield in at
tempts to help out Europe.
There is another side to this thing.
however, and some of the politicians
know it and probably will let the Pres
ident know it, if he does not know 1t
already. There apparently has been
a change in public sentiment concern
ing American participation in Euro
pean affairs. The President may be
told that he can win the nomination
on an isolation platform; but he may
be told that he is likely to lose the
election on the same platform.