The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-20
IDENTIFIED PEACE
BEC0MESM0TTOOF
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
President Discards Big Stick
Methods Used BY Roose-
welt And Wilson
SITUATION EMBARRASSING
Borah And Johnson Making
Trouble BY Demanding
p. Open Statement
WASHINGTON BUREAU |
THE AGE-HERALD
Washington, d. c.. May 10

Washington, d. c.. May 10
~ In explanation of his running away
from his own proposal that the
United States adhere to the court of
justice under the League of Nations,
a White House statement declares
belief that the President would be
IS without presidential dignity were
he to appeal to the people to bring
pressure against the Senate, or by
any other action, endeavor to sway
the Senate from it's natural inclina-
ton.
.c The President, while touring the
west the coming summer, and later
when tho Senate subjects his court
proposal to senatorial treatment. will
demonstrate that he Is no fighter
and no "go-getter." There are prece-
,dents tending to prove that presiden-
tial fighters were more successful
than presidential runners, and vice
versa. Grant fought his party asso
ciates who acted with independence
and defeated them; likewise, Arthur
was defeated after fruitlessly at
tempting reconciliation. On the other
hand, no man fought harder than
Wilson. or more successfully, for a
great issue.
Harding is following in the foot
steps of Arthur. He Is naturally in
clined to dignified peace. Again,
there is no question in the minds of
Washington politicians but tina the
president has been made aware that
a fight on his part for American ad-
-hesion to the leagues court would
hopelessly divide his party. and en-
compass his own defeat.
MIR. Harding's Plight.
The situation is unquestionably
highly embarrassing to the Pres
ident. He cannot proceed in fight
ing humor for his proposal without
incensing Senator Lodge, Senator
Watson and Senator Brandegee, erst-
while administration supporters, and
at the same time, forging weapons
for those "irreconcilables," Senator
LaFollette, Senator Borah and
Senator Johnson, who have never |
displayed affection for the admins
tration. On the other hand, he can
not run away from his proposal |
without exciting some emotions on |
the part of Secretary Hughes, Secre-
tary Hoover. Chief Justice Taft and |
Elihu Root, leaders in whom the rank |
and file OF the "Old Guard" has con-
fidence.
beSet as ne 49, the IIeSiucnl, Wei |
he in the shoes of Grant. or Roose-
Welt or Wilson, would resolve all
doubt by positive action. He would
either admit that he was in error
when proposing American participa-
ton in the election of the judges OF
the international court of justice and
abandon his position, or would take
up the big stick" and make fight
for a great principle irrespective or
his fate or the fate of his party.
Every intimation from the White
House, however, is that the President
has concluded that the safest method
of procedure involves extreme pas
sivity. 1t is safely predicted that the
President will never be the leader of
his party. The President, it is indi-
Gated, Will continue to follow the
Senate.
Strategy OF Enemies.
Harding's enemies intend to force
him either to defend his proposal or
openly to abandon it. They figure
that if he defends 1t he Will ALLEVIATE
certain powerful leaders who are
still hanging with him in knowledge |
that they can amend his proposal as
they see proper. Furthermore, they |
figure that If he defends his proposal
he will be forced to tell the Senate
that it cannot attach any reserva- |
lions other than those suggested by |
would defeat the proposal In the Sen
ate, they contend. On the other
hand, according to this strategy, II |
they force the President openly TO |
abandon his proposal, the country
will become so disguised that 1T |
would decline to nominate him sec
ond time.
Senators Boran, LaFollette and |
Johnson have tentatively agreed to
move against the President in order
to make him assume position. Borah
and LaFollette are now preparing to
take the stump. Johnson will JOIN
them as soon as he returns from
Europe Senator Moses. chairman of
the senatorial campaign committee,
has just returned from Europe with
a new warning against 'entanslns
alliances" He is ready to go into
the east and preach doctrine
against the court proposal.
Bornh Awaits Reaction.
1t is indicated that the principal
aids of the President VINO consuiteu
with him this week were too san
guine when they concluded that the
! only republican opposition TO the
President would emanate IRON La
Toilette. Developments VIII deter
mine whether Johnson will be a can
didate, or whether Borah will be
candidate.
4 1t is learned today that Borah, on
his stamping tour, will argue in favor
Z of those things which the president
cpposes, and against those things
which the President favors. If the
rejection is in accordance with the
wishes of Borah. it is regarded as
quite certain that he would make
Rid for the nomination. Johnson Will
feel his way when he returns. his
4 future course will be in accord to the
response his efforts elicit.
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