New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-12
Harding Tells
BOrah ALI About
Peace Treaty
White House Conference Is
Regarded by Senators as
His Answer to Charges
of Secret Diplomacy
Other Issues Discussed
Question of Withdrawal of
Troops From Rhine, How
ever, Was Not Brought Up


WASHINGTON, Aug. lin a long
conference between Pres dent Harding
and Senator Borah, of Idaho, at the
White House to-day it developed that
rapid progress is being made on the
negotiation of treaty of peace with
Germany. The President is we'll sat
isfed with the progress Of these nego-
tiations, which are being conducted at
Berlin.
The President and Senator Borah
went into the details Of the treaty.
The new document is not based on the
Versailles Treaty, but follows as
closely as possible the lines Of the
peace resolution. 1t is, in fact, based
squarely on that resolution.
The President, as is known from
various sources, believes that the
treaty will fully satisfy the members
of the Senate who were most pro-
nounced against the League Of Ma
tons and certain phases of the Yer
sailles Treaty
Whether to-day's conference was in
tended as an answer to Democratic
charges of secret diplomacy in connec-
ton with the treaty is not known. 1t
was in any event looked upon in Sem
ate circles as such an answer The
President is understood to have been
frank and outspoken about the treaty
and there was evidence that Senator
Borah, after the conference, was him
self well pleased over the treaty situa-
ton.
Date OF Signature Uncertain
II was not developed al to-day's con-
ference when the treaty will be signed
and submitted to- the Senate. The in
dicatons are strong, however, that it
will be laid before the Senate early in
the regular session next winter. 1t is
not expected to reach the Senate be-
fore that time.
The President and Senator Borah
talked over many phases Of the legis-
lative program and also discussed the
forthcoming disarmament conference
The President sees no serious clouds
success. Senator Borah, on the other
hand, holds to his view that in the end
the conference will settle down to the
question of naval disarmament, as to
which he believes there is a likelihood
Of reaching an understanding.
With respect to publicity of the pro
ceedincs of the conference, President
Harding gave Senator Borah to under
stand that he desired publicity as far
as should be practicable. Senator
Borah suggested that the proceedings
ought to be in the open and that
secrecy should be avoided in every
particular.
The present plan is not to open the
doors, but to have the proceedings
given out from some official source as
far as this, as a practical matter, can
be done.
Other Measures Discussed
Other matters which the Preside Mt
and Senator Borah discussed included
the railroad bill, free tolls and, in d
brief way tariff and taxation.
With respect to the bin for free
tolls through the Panama Canal, the
| President believes an adjustment can
be reached by negotiation. but he does
not object to having the measure
pressed for passage. Senator Borah ad-
vised him that passage Of a bill APP
plying TO domestic coastwise commerce
could not be objected to by other ma
tons. and that, on the other hand.
If there were to be negotiation
without. it would be to the advantage
of this country to have the legislation
pressed. The President is understood
TO have agreed that it would not en-
barrass him if the bill were pressed.
Senator Borah intends to urge that it
be acted on speedily It was made the
unfinished business Of the Senate this
afternoon.
Senator Borah told the President he
did not believe Congress should take a
recess, but should take up the railroad
bill the tolls bill and other important
matters. President Harding has not
indicated that he would stand in the
way of q recess, but he would be
road bill should be passed before the
Senate takes up tax or tariff.
Troop Withdrawal Not Mentioned
President Harding and Senator Borah
did not discuss Withdrawal of the
troops in Germany. 1t is understood
the President prefers to keep the
troops there until treaty of peace
has been signed
The conference caused great deal
of speculation about the Senate as to
its real objective. AS a matter of fact
the President told Senator Borah some
time ago, when he was at the Capitol
that he wanted to see him and talk
over disarmament with him. The con
ference was looked upon as signifyinQ
that the President desired to keep on
good terms with Senator Borah and
the more or less Independent Senators
on the Republican side who are not in
clined to follow leaders. Gossip had it
too, that the President would not be at
/ all vexed if Senator Borah should fight
the recess and preyent it,
Furthermore, the President it is be
lieved, desired to be relieved Of any
charge of secret diplomacy.