Mr. Borah and the Debts Senator Borah's conversion to the
idea of war debt cancellation, not out of any spirit of altruism but in the interests of the United States itself, does not mean that all America or even all the Middle West, of which the Senator from Idaho is so representative a spokesman, has shifted its ground on that vital problem. But it does mean that America is definitely moving. For Mr. Borah, while he is no weathercock—he is quite as ready to back an unpopular cause as a popular—is apt to yield to facts and forces that cannot be resisted just when their cogency has come to be such as to convince whole sections of his fellow-citizens besides himself. In addition to that his personal influence is sufficient to sway the general judgement considerably. The details of the cancellation idea—whether there is to be complete annulment of debt, or payment according to capacity (which might well mean that most would be demanded of the nation that had put its finances on the soundest footing at the greatest sacrifice), or a settlement on some other basis—matter little at this juncture. What is material is that public opinion in the United States is moving definitely towards recognition of international indebtedness as a proper subject for international dis- cussion. With that we can well be content for the moment.
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