AMERICAN POLITICS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Permit me to amend the remarks of Mr. Ratcliffe in your columns concerning Senator Borah's political influence, and particularly his statement that President Coolidge has realized that his advocacy of American entry into the Inter- national Court was a serious mistake. From what viewpoint, pray, was this statement made ? Who has told or shown Mr. Coolidge that he had made a: mistake in reviving the Harding proposal for American entry into the Court ? The House of Representatives passed the Court resolution with practical unanimity, while in the Senate Borah and his democratic colleague, Senator Reed of Missouri, managed to induce just fifteen relatively unimportant persons to vote with them against joining the Court. The Churches, the Bar associa-
lions, the Women's organizations, the trade unions, the re- sponsible Press have been and are severally in favour of such co-operation with the Court. A few demagogues and•shallow politicians are seeking to make political capital among the Ignorant, suspicious and hate-ridden elements by denouncing the Court and demanding a repeal of the resolution in question. NO, indeed ; Mr. Coolidge's one really progressive act was no mistake in the eyes of any body of American citizens worthy of respect or consideration.
As to Borah's place in politics, opinions naturally differ. But he leads no minority and represents nobody but his own unstable self. He sometimes talks like a Liberal or Pro- gressive ; but he did not join the Progressive movement led by Roosevelt, and has made no sacrifices for principle. His opposition to the League and Court is reactionary and irra- tional ; his tirades against eastern " international bankers " who favour American entry into the League are cheap. Mr. Borah favours recognition of Russia, but he has converted nobody who needed converting in connexion with that ques- tion. Wall Street is not for recognition ; no American chamber of commerce or other business organization has recommended it ; and the few promoters who do recommend that policy are actuated not by principle but by the hope of concessions and profits. The American Liberals do not claim Mr. Borah, and would not be proud of him if he claimed kinship with them. He is too erratic and too provincial.-
Previous page
