Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-30
Politics at Large
By C.. Could Lincoln.

Within "a hours Senator Hiram
Johnson Of California, twice a candl-
date for the Republican nomination
for President. declared he has no
presidential aspirations for 1928, and
Senator William T.. Borah Of Idaho
announced that President Coolidge Is
the likely nominee of the Republican
marty next year, The McNary- Hau-
genites farm revolt against the Presl-
dent and the so-called third-term issue
raised by DIR. Nicholas Murray Butier
have not shaken the position OF the
President, 1t appears.
* y x x
Senator Borah, addressing a meet
ing in Syracuse. has gone further
than merely predicting the renornirGl'
ton of the President. He has SAID III
so many words that the President is
entitled to denomination. NO man III
the Senate is d greater student or tine
Constitution and the debates whlch
took place at the time that famous
document was whipped into shape:
Yet Mr.. Borah makes no mention oi
a possible ineligibility OF Presluent
Coolidge because, il reelected in l92S,
y
months in the White House, moro
than any other President. Indeed. MS
suggestion that the President Is en-
titled to denomination clearly lhU-
Gates that Mr.. Borah does not take
any stock in the argument that pe-
cause President Coolidge served one
wear and five months OF the uneX-
pired term of the late President Haru-
ing, he is debarred from serving Two
terms as President in his own right
The views voiced by both Senator
Johnson and Senator Borah certaliNs
give emphasis to the opinion 1requeht-
Nv expressed in recent months llae
President Coolidge 'can have the
nomination if he wants it. NO one
knows, of course, that Mr.. Cooiiuse
does want q denomination. But many
are betting that he will be renom-
mated and reelected. II senator
Johnson believed that President Cool
idge intended to take himsef out OIL
the race, would he be so emphatic IN
his declaration that he is the member
OF the Senate who has the least asplra-
ton for the nomination in 1928!
Probably not. Because with Mr..
Coolidge out the picture in the 1928
Republican national convention, the
race for the presidential nomination
becomes free for all that may make
even the 1920 contest for that noml-
nation pale into insignificance. Inc
plain truth Of the matter is, however
that If the country continues pros
nerous. the politicians realize that no
one wishes TO rock the boat, except
perhaps some ambitious office seekers
who are now out of office.
X X y
Mr.. Borah's frank statement that
President Coolidge is entitled to re-
nomination and would make strong
candidate may cause a little surprise
at this time, coming as it does after
the Senator's attacks upon the ad-
ministration's foreign policy-more
particularly it's policy toward Mexico
and Nicaragua. Indeed, the CHAIRMAN
of the foreign relations committee
has been the administration most
earnest and constant Republican
critic when 1t comes to foreign al
fairs. He has favored recognition OF
the Russian Soviet government and
the administration has turned dear
ear. He has opposed American adj
herence to the World Court, which
the administration forced through the
Senate finally with a cloture rule. He
has attacked the administration be-
cause 1t sent Marines into Nicaragua
and because it has taken stiff stand
with Mexico over the petroleum and
land laws of that country as they af-
feet Americans and their interests in
Mexico.
The administrations unvarying in
sistence that American rights and
American lives shall be protected
everywhere, however, Is having its
effect on popular sentiment and opin-
ion. The American people are always
willing to back a government that
takes such a stand, and critics of the
administration while it is attempting
to defend Americans and their prop
erty are not likely to get very far.
The American people are not anxious
for war with any one; they never
have been. But neither do they like
to back away when their rights are
jeopardized.
v X X
The administrators foreign policies
will be on trial during the present con-
gressional recess. it is true. and upon
the results obtained may depend not
a little the fate Of the administration
next year. II the Government is able
to handle effectively the difficult prob
lens presented in China, Nicaragua
and Mexico. then it will ride high.
But If there Is failure here and there,
the Senate Is likely to open heavy
barrage Of criticism as soon as it re-
convenes. The political makeup of
the Senate will be hostile to the ad-
ministration when the insurgent Re-
publican strength is added to that of
the Democrats, who will hold almost
one-half Of the Senate seats in De
cember.
a .ss,t
freer in dealing with the problems OF
foreign relations with Congress out
Of Washington. Already it has abro-
gated q smuggling treaty with Mex
leo and sold arms to President Diaz
of Nicaragua. Both actions doubtless
would have led to a fiery debate and
attack in the Senate, to the introduc-
ton Of resolutions and efforts to force
the administration hand if the Sem
ate had been in Washington and on
the job.
Since the recent announcements of
two former members of the cabinet of
the late President Woodrow Wilson,
Albert Sidney Burleson and Thomas
w. Gregory, both of Texas that Gov.
Smith of New York was the logical
and strongest candidate the Demo-
Gratis CooAu PuI Ny Ioi L LcSluchl ucAl
year, there have been many rumors
about Washington that third men,
Der of the Wilson cabinet would sup
port the candidacy of Gov. Smith. No
less a person than former Secretary
Of the Navy Josephus Daniels, now
editor of the Raleigh News and OBJ
server in Raleigh, n. c. Mr.. Daniels
is a dry and Protestant. The Raleigh
Times, an afternoon newspaper pub
lished in Mr.. Daniels home town, has
asked editorially If Mr.. Daniels is
steering his political course so as to
.,aairo him q rltnninx r1aata On the no.