THE PRESIDENCY: A Palinode

In Europe the administration of democratic governments is in the hands of the leaders of the parties in power. In this country a party, once it has placed the administration of the Government in the hands of one of its members, continues its functions, separate from, but usually parallel to the administration. There are, in other words, two sets of leaders—the President with his Cabinet, and the leaders of the party committees.

Last week the country was startled when these two groups began to steer in opposite directions. Inasmuch as it was over a question of foreign affairs, it was feared that European countries might not understand the distinction between the two groups. There was a little tempest within the Republican ranks, the party chiefs hastily changing their course to conform, at least overtly with the administration, and then calm once more.

President Harding and hisimmediate supporters are in favor of the World Court and a modified isolationism. On the other hand are Representative Wood of Indiana, Chairman of the Republican Congressional Committee (responsible for electing Republicans to the House of Representatives), Senator Moses, Chairman of the Republican Senatorial Committee (responsible for electing Republicans to the Senate) and John T. Adams, Chairman of the Republican National Committee (responsible for the general welfare of the party and for Presidential elections). These three are the leading officers of the party organization, and the first two of them are out-and-out isolationists.

Last week the Republican National Committee issued a statement as part of its propaganda for isolation. The prospects, according to the Committee, of our ever getting $250,000,000 of the German reparations to pay for the expense of keeping our army on the Rhine are indeed remote. ” England and her European allies are determined to ‘ bilk ‘ the United States. . . .The whole matter is a crooked deal. . . . It is typical of the attitude of England and the European powers.” It indicates how they will try to treat us if we enter into ” and sort of a league ” with them.

The article was cabled to Europe. Secretary Hughes took alarm at this attack upon friendly powers. He and the President made representations to the National Committee, which next day sent all newspapers a notice ” withdrawing ” the article.

But comment was plenty. Administration newspapers characterize the committee’s statement as “incredible stupidity,” ” brazen impudence.” Isolationist journals refer to it as ” an accurate statement of events.”

Said the Democratic National Committee: ” This is believed to be the first time in the history of the country that officials of a political committee have undertaken to embarrass a President or a Secretary of State at a critical juncture.”