The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-29
LEADERS SEEK T0 PREVENT R|F l IN
 REPUBLICAN PARTY
Harding Is Playing Unusual Role In Having Forsaken
 MiddIe-of- Road Policy

WASHINGT <, April 2s.-W tn two factions( the republican party at odds ovey he world court, admin istration le CTS are seeking to pre- vent riff which might carry into inc 1924 campaign and endanger the presidential election.
 Alter nearly weeks feverish dis cussion of the court precipltated ns President Hardings aggresslNe speech in New York, the situation within the republican party IS .his,
 1. President Harding is aligneo with Secretary of State Hughes, Herbert Hover and Elihu Root ir pushing the court relentlessly.
 ?. Borah LaFollettee and several other powerful irreconcilable sen ators are fighting the court as haro as they ever fought the League. 8. Another group of party leaders embracing Chairman John T. Adam of the republican national comuit- tee, Senator Lodge and senator Watson, are subordinating their per sonal views. whether favorable to the court or not, and appealing TOT party harmony. They regard oo nestle questions and prosperity as more vital Issues than the court. Harding Playing Unusual Role.
 President Harding is playing role that Is unusual for him. Instead oi
  road group, as he is in most party controversies, he has placed himself behind the court without re- servations This has brought about a difficult situation for some sen ators who are opposed to the court but who do not wish to participate in an open controversy with the President. especially with a nation al campaign only few months away.
 Chairman Adams and Senator Wat son are stressing the view that al heart the republicans are united. Serious Division Denied.
 There is no serious division Tn the republican party upon funda mentals," Adams said. Freedom ot discussion within the party always has been good republican practice The democratic idea that freedom of discussion within the ranks of republcanism is synonymous with a party split is the opinion one logical l. ly might expect from party which served for eight years merely as a rubber stam for a one-man govern ment.
 At Pittsburg, Senator Watson pre- dicted that all seeming differences would be adjusted in the end.
 Harding, by making adherence to the court plan party doctrine, has
  regular republicans like Borah and LaFoilette to oppose him. Senators, who now bitterly denounce the court probably in the end, will support Harding rather than march off the reservation just before campaign year.
 Democrats See OppOrtunity.
 Democrats see a great opportu- nity awaiting them because of the republican "predicament." As the court protocol must be ratified by two-thirds of the senate, Harding in the end will be dependent upon the minority party for the success of his plan. Every indication now is that the democrats will, with possibly three or four exceptions, support the President. But before the vote comes, the Senate will listen to many hours of democratic speeches twit ting the republicans because of their difficulties over the League of Ma tions aspect of the issue.
 Several important developments have been almost overlooked in the commotion here over the world court. Former Justice Clarke has eliminated himself from the list of democratic presidential timber by announcing he would not accept the nomination if it were rendered. He has been favored by number of pro- League democrats. This reduces Ohio's rep resentation in the list to James M. Cox.
 Recognition of Mexico is expected to result from negotiations to begin at Mexico City in 10 days. John Bar ton Payne. president of the American Red Cross. and Charles s. Warren, former ambassador to Japan. are to be the American commissioners. After Warren completes this mission, l ,l, Nt,1 rl Ambassador George Harvey decide to return to the United States to assist President Harding in the presidential campaign.