Evening star., 1940-01-20
early morning.

Death came to Senator Borah last
night as he gathered his failing
strength for his role in what loomed
as the third major American crisis
during his service in the Senate.
In the months just past his res
onant voice had been raised often as
the American people sought to shape
their foreign policy in the face of the
international crisis. He was pre-
pared to resume the lone fight for
his cherished principles-the same
stormy battle he had carried on in
the crises of the depression and the
postwar years.
His words on international affairs
had always been heard carefully-at
home and abroad. Throughout the
rest of the world, he probably was
regarded with more interest and
curiosity during the postwar years
than any other American.
This was the man who had never
been to Europe-yet whose activities
had profoundly affected the shape
of European affairs-but the man
who, accused of not knowing enough
about Europe, had replied that he
knew too much.
Marked by independence.
He was probably the most inde-
pendent man in the Senate in his
time. None ever seemed entirely
sure what position he would take
on most issues-but the Senator
pointed out the consistency of his
stand during his public life.
For he clung tenaciously to few
cherished principles and by these
he steered his course. His guiding
stars were a hatred of great COM
binations of wealth or power and
a passion for keeping this country
free of foreign entanglements.
He was a champion of State!
rights and one of the greatest living
authorities on constitutional law
His Interpretation of the Constitu
ton often led him to oppose meas
ures which fitted in with his liberia
philosophy. Senator Borah wa
ranked as one of the great parlia
mentary orators of modern histor.
and his speeches In the Senate
particularly those against the Leagu
Of Nations and Versailles treaty.
were ranked with the greatest.
Almost from the day he entere'
the Senate, Mr.. Borah had beel
that body's great enigma" H
came to the Senate as youn
lawyer from the young State c
Idaho.
Senate Leader Aldrich, learnin
the young man was a lawyer an
deducing that he must therefore b
. conservative, placed him on tn
Senate Judiciary Committee. An
then it was that Senator Borah be
gan upsetting applicants.
His committee votes on two "radi
cal" measures-the direct electio
Of Senators and the income tax
which were opposed by Senate
Aldrich, were decisive In gettir
these measures to a vote. The
were, Of course, adopted.
One "Willfur' Group.
With devastating effect, he ke
up his fight through the years. /
was one-the strongest-of the htt
"band of willful men" who blocke
Woodrow Wilson's dream OF reco'
structing the world.
He led the fight against Il
League of Nations, against ratif1c
ton of the Versailles Treaty al
against the World Court. VIII
President Harding came into OH
Senator Borah announced his su
port of the new Chief, but warm
that he would not act merely at
nod from the President.
He initiated, and battled almc
alone for, initiation of the nav
and armament reduction prograI
that resulted in the Washingt
naval and other treaties.
In the years that followed he "
often q thorn in the side of Pre-
dent Coolidge although he refus
to break with his party to suppt
the La Toilette Wheeler third pal
Hcket. He supported Preside