The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1921-03-11
u. 5. To RETAIN
ARMY ON Rhine
Agreed On Policy At First
Meeting Of New
Cabinet.


aspects Of the nations foreign reIa-
lions as we'll as problems of admins
4 trative organization were considered
by President Harding and his depart
ment heads today at the first cabinet
meeting, of the new administration.
! AfterwaId definite announcement
was made at the War Department that
in formulating it's policy toward the
Rhine situation this government is
not now considering a withdrawal Of
the American troops of occupation. It
was learned at the same time that as
another step toward Pan-American
amity the President is preparing to
ask that the Senate ratify at once the
long pending treaty with Colombia.
Developments in regard to the
Panama-Costa RIGA hostilities were
less definite, but it is understood the
cabinet took cognizance of that situa--
ton and canvassed latest official re-
ports ON the subject. The next step
awaits receipt of reply from Panama
to the American note dispatched Sat-
urday.
In the realm of domestic questions
major attention was directed toward
perfection Of the cabinet organization
as smoothly working machine. Mr..
Harding is understood to have made
cooperation among the departments
the keynote of his preliminary in
structions to his secretaries, telling
them he wanted no hesitation and no
jealousy about whatever changes of
jurisdiction might be decided on in
the reorganization scheme now being
formulated.
All ten of the department heads
and Vice President Coolidge, invit-
ed in pursuance of policy announc-
ed during the campaign, were pres
emit at the meeting. The session last
ed more than two hours and at its
conclusion Attorney General Daugh-
erty stayed behind for short talk
with the President. There also was
a brief individual conference between
Mr.. Harding and Secretary Hughes,
of the State Department, before the
other cabinet members arrived.
After the meeting all the secreta-
ries declined to give an intimation OF
what had transpired around the cab
met table and the only announce
ment coming from the White House
related to the time Of future sessions.
1t was said that the cabinet would be
called together again Friday and that
thereafter meetings would be held
at least once week, probably on
Tuesdays.
The War Department announce
ment concerning withdrawal OF AM
erican troops from the Rhine was
made by Secretary Weeks, who would
not discuss the subject further than
to say that withdrawal was not now
being considered. In reaching this
decision in regard to it's temporary
policy the administration is under
stood to have taken into account all
the elements Of the present situation
In Western Germany, where allied
troops have advanced to enforce the
terms of the Versailles treaty whilef
the American forces remained behind
ON the lines originally occupied by
them under the armistice agreement.
Altho nothing definite has devel-
oped in other official quarters here
to indicate the probable permanent
policy of the new administration, 1t Is
known that the situation now pre-
sented along the German border is
receiving the close scrutiny of Mr..
Harding, and his advisers. II gem
orally is expected that some more
concrete expression of this govern
ment's attitude may be forthcoming
in the near future.
When the army appropriation bill
was under consideration just before
Inauguration. Republican leaders in
Congress proceeded on the expecta-
tion that the American troops would
be out of Europe before the first OF
July. The bill with its curtailed bud
get for the army of occupation failed
of final enactment and must be taken
up again at the special session.
Also wrapped up in the Rhine sit
uation is the question of passing
congressional resolution to declare
state Of peace with Germany and it
is believed the administration will de-
termine its attitude on such reso- )
luton in the light Of full information
about present European conditions.