Evening star., 1934-07-06

Undoubtedly there are thousands OF
Americans who consider that Senator
William E. Borah is overwhelmingly
the logical Republican to oppose
Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1896. They
are sure to be strengthened in that
conviction by the Idahoan's radio
broadside against the new deal. From
no G. o. P. quarter hitherto has there
emanated so fierce an onslaught on
the Roosevelt revolution. Borah has
never been under any illusions about
his political eligibility. He once
told this observer that he has about
as much chance to be nominated by a
Republican national convention as he
has to be crowned King Of England.
Nevertheless, if the Senate's master
orator were 10 or Is years younger
hardly any other Republican could
command so large personal support
for national honors, despite his geo.
graphical handicap. Periodically. dur
ing the past couple Of decades, Borah
has been urged by admirers to run for
President as an independent. Having
no faith in third-party movements, he
has never lent ear to the siren song.
*
y Democratic leaders diSclaim any
anxiety over Borah's one-man crusade
against bureaucracy and monopoly. 1t
is conceded he will make votes against
new deal candidates here and there
and foment opposition throughout the
country. But even the veteran Pro-
gressives sledge-hammer eloquence
and popular appeal, administrator
lists feel will not contrive to under
mine faith in the President or Serl-
ously threaten the Democratic cause
in November. One new dealer re-
calls an ancient quip about Borah;
Bill has knocked more home runs
and only got to first base on them
than anv man now in public life.
Again this year he will kick up plenty
of dust. but, true to form, will not
get very far Although the Idaho
Senator's speech making campaign Is
purely a personal enterprise. Republic
an leaders welcome his powerful SUP
port. and believe, contrary to the
Democratic view. that it will drive
hordes of voters into the elephant S
camp.
X +
Guessing when Gen. johnson will
pass out of the picture and who will
succeed him is once again Wasning-
tons favorite sport. Some wiseacres
think the Blue Eagle boss may quit
after his Forthcoming cross country
speaking tour. One thing is fairly
certain-JohnSon can hang on as
long as he wants to. His status at
the White House is unshattered.
President Roosevelt is aware of the
generals mounting unpopularlty IN
many quarters. But F. D. RS atti-
tude consistently has been that N. r.
A. has a job to do and that there's
nobody capable of doing it as well
as the rough riding brigadier. john
son bankers to return to business lie,
He has frequently intimated to friends
during the past strenuous year that he
will do SO as soon as his N. R. A. work
is done. If and when he resigns, it
will be q signal that he thinks that
time has come.
4 X
Word reaching Washington from
Hsinking. capital of Manchukuo, in
dicates that the japanese puppet
state expects that the recent exam
pie of FL Salvador in recognizing its
government will be followed by other
Catholic countries. That hope seems
to be based on the fact that the Vat
ican recently took the initiative in en-
tering into relations with the Man
chukuah government and sent Bishop
Gaspais to Hsinking as apostolic
delegate.