Omaha daily bee., 1920-12-12
Harding to
Face Many
Big Issues
Restoration of Peace and Set.
tlement of War Claims Are
Among Leading Problems
of Next Administration.
No Definite Plans Made
By ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.


Washington, Dec. ll.-With the
domestic economic situation calling
I tor long delayed reconstruction
measures of the highest order of
statesmanship, President-e elect Hard
ing faces one of the biggest diplo-
matte jobs that ever fell to the
lot of a new administration. Here
IS a partial survey of the interna-
tional problems he intends to tackle
as soon as he assumes office:
/. Reconstruction of peace with
bermany; settlement of war claims
between Germany and the United
States. including disposition of the
Soo0,0O0000 Germany property in
the hands of the alien property
custodian, and negotiation of
st,teaties of amity and commerce with
Berlin. ~
2. Determination of the attitude
toward Russia, involving the ques-
ton of recognition of the soviet
government and the opening of
trade relations between the two
countries.
s. Development of the Harding
plan to invite other powers to a
consideration of the preservation of
world peace through an association
OF nations and an international
court of justice.
Big Allied Debt.
4. Completion of negotiations for
the refunding of the $l2,00O,0OO.OO0
allied debit to the United States into
bonds OF a stated period, includ-
ing in the principal all interest in
arrears and all interest accruing in
the next two years which the allies
are unable to pay.
) Negotiations with Great Britain
tor revision of the Hay-P -Pauncefote
treaty, which will permit the exemp-
ton OF American ships from the pay
ment OF Panama canai tolls and ne
gotistion with Canada for the crea-
ton Of the lakes to the Atlantic
waterway, also toll free.
8. Exclusion Of the japanese,
either by termination of the exist
ing treaty and legislation or by a
new agreement with the Japanese
government, in connection with
which Senator Lodge has proposed
5 an alliance with Canada and Aus
tralia for the common defense from
the yellow peril
- Faces Oil Settlement.
2. Negotiations with England for
recognition of the rights OF Ameri-
can oil development concerns in
Mncono4o,7,t, Iax1
territories,
s. Protection Of American cable,
radio and commercial rights in the
, Pacific, which are endangered by the
aim of Japan to incorporate the for
Iner German islands in the north Pa
cific into the Nipponese empire, and
thereby gain complete control of the
Yap island cable and radio center.
9. Payment by Mexico of dam
ages for the lives and property of
Americans lost during the revolution
airy period and the recognition of the
rights of American oil and other in
vestors.
10. Reorganization of American
supervision of Haiti and Santo Do
mingo with view to early with
drawal of armed forces from those
republics.
No Definite Peace Plan.
When President-elect Harding
was here this week he made it clear
that he had as yet no definite plan
of procedure in regard to the con-
clusion of peace with Germany and
the establishment of an association
of nations and international court
He said he would not formulate any
policy in this matter until he has
concluded his consultation with the
"best minds of the country" which
he will continue at Marion until
the latter. part of January.
1t is not without significance,
however, that the closest advisers
of the president-elect contemplate
the complete rejection of the Yer
sailles treaty and Wilson league.
AThey believe that peace will be re-
stSSlished by resolution similar to
the Knox measure vetoed by Presi-
dent Wilson and that the United
States never will become a party to
the peaee of Paris.
They also believe that Mr.. Hard
ing. when he becomes president,
will make overtures to the powers
looking to the establishment of an
association of nations dedicated, to
the preservation of world peace,
but devoid of the feature of an ALI
ance which dominates the Wilson
covenant. ! 1t believed not unlikely
that the allies will counter with a
proposition to modify the provision
of the Wilson GOV .nant to suit the
United States, with a view to bring
ing this country into the present