New-York tribune., 1920-05-20
BOrah Protests
Against Paying
Europe's Debts
Senator Declares Efforts TO
Induce u. S. to Join the
League Are Inspired by
Interest in Its Treasury
Opposes Davison's Plea
Taking Money From One
Who Has 1t Dangerous
Policy TO Invoke, He Says

From The Tribune's Woshnoton Bureo~
WASHINGTON, May 19.-Protests
against permitting the United States
to underwrte the debts of Europe were
voiced in the Senate to-day, when SEN
ator Borah. of Idaho, renewed discus
sion on the Versailles peace treaty.
Efforts to induce this country TO enter
the league Of nations were being con-
tinued only because the Treasury Of
the United States was attractive as 4
source of revenue for financing future
wars in Europe, Senator Borah said.
The great power behind the league
from the beginning has been inter
national finance, and if it were not for
the great material resources and Treas
ury of the United States all Eu-opc's
interest in having us join would cease"
continued the Senator. The entire
campaign now is conducted 1ot to Get
the United States in the league in cr-
der to prevent war, because nobody
longer believes this league, based cn
military forces and organized to hold
in subsection 00,000,000 people, is go
ing to prevent war. There is not a
reservation proposed, nor has one ever
been proposed, that would have the
slightest effect on the power of inter
national finance to control the league
for the interest of their scheme, if we
enter it,"
Exchange Question Raised
Senator Mcclellan, Democrat. of Ten
nessee, asked if the rates of exchange
could be bettered, so that American
goods could more readily go to Europe,
it would help the United States.
"Precsely." replied Senator BoraL.
But it is not necessary to sell the in
dependence of the United States in or
der TO get better exchange. l thor
oughly favor restoring commercial re-
lations between the United States and
every European nation. | thoroughly
favor invoking the ordinary econom:c
rule that produces beneficial effects.
/ simply oppose what they require as a
prerequisite TO shat, that we surrender
part Of the independence of and SOW
ereignty Of this government to the
domination Of a foreign tribunal
There are more men of vast wealth
in France to-day than at any time in
its history. We are now asked to un
derwrite and brace situation abroad
which is brought about and made
serious by virtue of the profiteering in
those countries. The time has come
when the American people should let
two things be known: That they do
not propose to underwrite q situation
in Europe based on profiteering sys-
TEN, and second. that before the Amer
lean people undertake to feed and
clothc Europe Europe must settle down
and go to work. | believe it is the dis
position Of our people to share their
half loaf with anybody on earth who
is hungry, but it is impossible for US
to feed Europe under the financial sys-
tom and industrial scheme Europe is
now pursuing.
IF we unde rtake it there will be only
one result. Instead of relieving Eu-,
rope and producing situation we
wnuld like the reaction will visit us.
and we will be in in no better condition
than they at the end of our effort"
All Loans Held Unwise
Senator King, Democrat, Of Utah,
asked whether Senator Borah distin-
gulshed between loans to governments
and loans to establish credits in Europe
tor buying raw materials here,
"Ihe final effect of both. in my iudg-
ment, is the same" replied Senator
Borah at is difficult enourh for us
to carry our own burdens in this coun-
try under our own profiteering sys-
TEN. We certainly cannot take on an
other such system in other countries.
Mr. II. P Dawson, of Morgan G. Co.,
advised Congress TO appropriate IS 5)0,-
100000 to feed the people of Europe I
do not know where we @et authority to
appropriate and tax the people to raise
money for such purpose. If we .an
tax man in the United States who is
near hungry and transfer it to the man
in Europe who is actually hungry, Mr..
Morgan and these people must under
stand that we have established rule
1,al. 1u 60 for IN
take the money out of Mr.. Morgan's
pocket and transfer it 10 the people Of
the United States who are not so we'll
off 1t is a dangerous policy to in
voke.'
Replying to question by Senate,
Mcclellan as to how the United States
can help Europe if it puIsucs the policy
of isolation. Senator 3orah said
"That is one thing the advocates OF
the league seem to fear more than all
others: that the United States will
shirk responsibility and renounce the
leadership they say fate and clrcum-
stances ave imposed on us. How ground
less is that fear, and how utterly ii
msreads American history and miscon-
strues national aspiration lsolatlon
selhshness and seclusiou arc things thf
American people have never known;
things which neither Washington MOI
any other statesman ever taught bu
the uncontracted NOltlOn, lhe uHttdhl
meled. unpawned freedom of the pco
ple to determine for themselves in ever.
crisis what it is their duty to do IL
the interest Of humanity and civiliza
tion is thing which | venture the
American people Will never surrender.
Isolation Charge Answered
Senator Knox. Republican. Of Penn
sylvania, asked if the suggestion of iso
lation is not effectively disposed o
"when we look over the roster of s.
100000 men and accounts of $4,000
600 900 for the peace of the world
Indeed it is" replied Senate
Borah. "What other nation ever CAV
its blood and treasure to buy the free
dom of oppressed people, and the
freely presented that boon to them a
we did,"
Turning to conditions in Europe
Senator Borah referred 70 a recent III
IL. fo.. aA.l,.. q n