Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-08-16
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS

AS Congress comes down the home
stretch" of a session which has been as
hectic from many standpoints as any
which has ever sat in Washington. more
and more attention is being focused on
the realignment and readlustments
which will be made in political parties
as a result Of the strife and turmoil
over many questions on which this Con-
gress has been called to act Although
much can happen and many changes
take place between now and the time
of the congressional elections next year,
and still more water flow over the dam
before the presidential elections in
1910, it is recognized by far-seelng polit-
ical observers that deep-seated feelings
have been created during the past six
months which will affect permanently
the course of coming events. Difference
of viewpoint have arisen which will play
a vital part in the political battles Of the
next few years. 1t would be little more
than gueSSWork, these observers hold to
attempt to forecast at this time just
how far-reaching and how lasting these
differences are, and how deep they will
cut, but they do not hesitate to predict
without hesitation that existing discords
and discomfort will bring about changes
of sweeping character in the political
lineup.
Much interest has been aroused here
over the announcement that Senator
Borah. recognized as one of the leading
authorities in the United States on the
Constitution and questions related there
to, is to deliver an address to be nation
ally broadcast on that subject on the
evening of September l6 preceding the
day on which there will be national
observance of the 150th anniversary of
the signing of the historic document.
Arranged under Masonic auspices, it is
recognized that Senator Borah, who for
many years was chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee, will make pro-
nouncement of telling importance which
will have bearing on many OF the
problems that face the country today.
Added timeliness is given to the address
by the fact that today, to greater
degree than at any previous period in
recent history, the Constitution Of the
United States with all its significance
and implications is in the limelight Of
public thought. The celebration of the
sesquicentennial of its signing furnishes
appropriate background for deep and
consderate discussion of this great
American contribution to the worlds
political advance.
Diplomatic representatives of the
United States in any part Of the world
must always be prepared to get ION the
firing line" Last year it was in Spain
where a young secretary Of embassy,
Eric c. >Wendelin, during the early
days of the Spanish revolution was
deeply engrossed in looking after the
welfare of the American citizens in
Madrid and in seeing to their safe evacu-
alton from the War-torn capital. Today
the scene shifts to China. where Nelson
T. johnson. American Ambassador and
the other diplomatic and consular officers
Of this Government are charged with
the heavy responsibility of seeing that
every possible precaution is taken to
safeguard the lives of their fellow
citizens. 1t is duty which rests heavily
on these officials, one which demands
their unremitting attention and their
unflagging zeal. In spite of their stand
ing orders and of special instructions
which are sent to them from the State
Department, 1t Is necessary for them at
times to use their own judgment as to
how best to handle the intricacieS of a
situation which arises and which re-
quires immediate decision and action.
This often requires diplomacy of high
order: but the Government knows that
1t can count on these foreign service
Officers, no matter what difficulties con-
front them. to give their best service to
their country.
In helping to create the good neigh
Dor" feeling among the American repub-
lies, much has bee accomplished during
the past few years by the concerts of