The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-14
BORAH STORM SIGNALS.

The apprehension that was felt by many when it first was brought out that Borah, according to the senate rules, would succeed Lodge as chairman of the comnS.ee on foreign relations is war ranted by Borah's recent declaration in favor of recognition of Russia. Of course, Borah cannot force recognition of Russia. Neither can his committee. That must come first by the executive with ratification by the senate of any agreements in furtherance of recogni- hon. q.
 But our state department is indubita- ply on record, through two administra- sions, one Democratic, one Republican, against recognizing the soviet until cer- tain stipulations or conditions have first been complied with. Secretary Hughes has closely followed the Wilsonian policy in this regard, and even, if he is succeeded y another in the next cabinet the chances are that the policy will not be changed.
 The soviet has repudiated the debts and obligations of the government it superseded. That alone stamps the soviet as lacking in the one fundamental of confidence, namely, a reputation for keeping pledges. Further than that, the soviet is communistic and therefore of fers no guaranty to private ownership of property, even though such property belongs to foreigners. Finally, several nations have tried to hold the soviet to treaty agreements, without success. The people of England recently at the polls overwhelmingly repudiated the proposed recognition of Russia, because they are aware of the underlying treachery of the present leadership in Russia.
 Thus, it seems that, even before the new congress assemblies, there is disclosed one grave likelihood of dissension be- tween the president and the senate. In order to avoid such a situation and partially at least to reconcile the irregu- lars, the president may yield somewhat to Borah. But even this would not lead to harmony, because it would be a com promise with principle, and therefore inn possible of continued defense. One com promise would be followed necessarily by others, until the relations of president and senate would be quite intricate. How Mir. Coolidge will react, if at all, is diff cult to foretell. He is not well known to the American people.
 To be sure, MT. Borah is not entirely without argument. He says: "The Rus sian problem will have to be taken up. It is absolutely necessary to settle the European problem that we settle the Rus sian problem" There is good deal of truth in this, of course, and tremendous inconsistency on the part of Borah. For Borah is one of our leading isolationists! !! He refused to permit the United States to enter into the settlement of Europe's problems, on the ground that we should not meddle in foreign affairs, and now he says that we cannot settle Europe un- til we first-settle Russia. MT. Borah may not regard that as inconsistent, but then MT. Borah has an unusual mind.
 The senator further says: Because we recognize Russia does not mean that we approve the form of government" Very true. But it means that we accept the soviet as in good and regular standing among the nations, when we know very we'll that it is not deserving of interna- tional confidence. The Russian problem must be solved before the world will be entirely at ease, but that does not imply unconditional acceptance of govern ment that openly threatens all other gov ernments. Russia must give pledges and visible evidence of an altered policy be- fore we can extend our recognition with out grave risk of cheapening it.