The New York herald., 1921-10-05
HARDING OPPOSES
ALLIED DEBT TOPIC
FOR arms PARLEY
American Delegates to Use
Their Influence to Prevent
Extraneous Slant.
BRITISH MAY INSIST
President Anxious for Con-
gress to Grant Mellon Pow
er of Refunding.
Is WILLING TO WAIT
Not Concerned About Bill Be-
ing Passed Before Conference
Begins in Washington.
BRITISH MAY INSIST
is WILLING TO WAIT

Special Despatch to THE New York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. e., Oct. 4.
1t was made known officially at the
White House to-day that the United
States will oppose the suggestion Of
British statesmen that an adjustment
OF international loans be undertaken
at the armament conference.
President Harding wants to open
negotiations with the Allies for the re-
funding Of their $11. 200. .000, ,0oe debt to
the United States as soon as Congress
grants authority to him to do so, but
the American delegates will be in
structed to use their influence against
bringing this or similar extraneous
questions before the arms parley.
The Harding Administration is pre-
pared to deal with the question OF for
eign loans in liberal and just man
ner, but it does not purpose to sacrifice
any of the interests of the United
States. The President and Secretary
Hughes believe that addition of this
question at the arms conference would
not be beneficial. They intend to hold
the conference so far as they can to
the subjects which 1t has been called
to consider--limitation of armaments
and Far Eastern problems.
Conce n tration Wanted.
Much significance was attached to an
official. statement at the White House
to-day that the United States as the
sponsor for the arms parley will not
hesitate to make known its opinion on
all proper occasions as to It's scope. The
President does not want the conference
to become involved In a maze of sub
jects. He wants It to concentrate on the
business in hand.
The Administration realizes, however.
that II the British delegates insist upon
bringing the allied debt into the discus
sion despite objections Of the United
States that subject cannot very well be
kept out. provided the other nations
agree with Great Britain. The influence
of the United States will be exerted as
far. as politeness and expediency will
permit.
Tho President is anxious that the bill
now pending in the Senate designed to
give wide refunding powers to Secretary
OF the Treasury Mellon, under direction
of the President, be enacted ar soon as
possible. but 1t was made known Off
cially to-day that the Presidents recon-
mendations to Congress in that regard
have nothing whatever TO do with the
arms parley. The President Is not con-
cerned about whether he gets this au-
thority before or after the arms confer
ence convenes.
While the Administration is opposed
to including the foreign loan question
In the agenda Of the arms conference II
is not pretended In official circles here
that the allied debt will not have an
important bearing on the problem of
disarmament. For instance, II Great
Britain should not acquiesce In the sug-
gestions which the United States will
make for Limitation of naval building
this Government might conceivabiy be
less willing to postpone collection Of
the big debt owed by Great Britain.
Hypothetical Answer.
II there is no agreement to limit ar
maments the answer OF the United
States may well be- in the words OF
prominent official. Let us see who goes
broke first" In that event II Is not
likely that the United States would
stand by and see Great Britain
spend money which she owes to this
to build up ner navy in a race
with the United States.
President Harding also made It
known Officially at the White House
and through Senator Watson Ond.) I'm
the Senate to-day that he did not want
Congress to adjourn before the arms
conference met. Thus he took all the
wind out of the Democratic sails. for
the Democratic leaders have been as
serting that the Administration was
drifting aimlessly, that II had no leg
islative programme. and that II was
going to use the arms parley as an ex-
cuse for postponing action on important
Even In some Republican quarters 1t
has been suggested that II would be bet
ter for Congress not to be In session
when the conference met to avoid pos
sibiIity OF partisan attacks on the Ad-
and criticisms OF the con-
ference deliberations. But the President |
holds no such fearsomc view. He will
take his chances with Congress. He Is
eager that the business of the country
60 forward without cessation. regardless !
Of the International activities of the Ad- |
At the same time the President Is not |