The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-03-12
AMERICAN ARMY
REMAIN ON RHINE
Announcement Follows Meeting
Of the Cabinet-NatiOn's For
eign Relations Come Be-
fore President

washington, March S.-N arlouS as
poets OF the nations foreign relations,
as well as problems of administrative
organization, were considered by
President Harding and his depart
ment heads today at the first cabinet
meeting of the new administration,
Afterward definite announcement
was made at the war department that
including its policy toward the Rhine
situation this government is not now
considering a withdrawal OF the
American troops OF occupation. 1t
WAS learned at the same time that
as another step toward Pan-Ameri-
can amity the president is preparing
to ask that the senate ratify ut once
the long-pending treaty with Colom-
bia.
Developments in regard to the
Panama Costa Rica hostilities were
less definite. but IL is understood the
cabinet took ccgnizance of that sit
uation and canvassed latest official
reports on the subject. The next step
awaits receipt CT a reply from Pana-
ma to the American note Dispatch
ed Saturday
In the realm Of domestic questions.
major attention was directed toward
Perfection OF the cabinet organization
an 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
s turisdiction might be decided on in
jealousy about whatever changes OF
the reorganization scheme now being
form ulated.
All ten OF the department heads
and Vice-Presldent Coolidge, invited
IN pursuance Of policy announced
during the campaign, were present
at the meeting. The session lasted
more than two hours and at it's con-
eiusion Attorney General Daughtery
stayed behind for a short talk with
the president. There also was a brief
indivldual conference between MIR.
Harding and Secretary Hughes of the
nats department before the other
cabinet members arrived.
10 Meet Again Friday
AMER the meeting all the secretaries
osclined to give an intimation Of what
had trnnspired around the cabinet
table, and the only announcement
cotninG from the White House related
.
Aald the cabinet would be called to-
sether again Friday. and that there
amer meetings would be held at least
once week, probably on Tuesdays.
The War Department announce
ment concerning withdrawal of Amer
lean troops from the Rhine, was made
by Secretary Weeks. who would not
discuss the subject farther than to say
that withdrawal was not now being
considered. In reaching this deci-
sion i'm regard to its temporary policy
the administration is understood to
have taken into account all the ele-
ments OF the present situation in Wes-
tern Germany, where Allied troops
have advanced to enforce the terms of
tho Versailles treaty while the Ameri-
can forces remained behind on the
lines originally occupied by them un-
der the armistice agreement.
Nothing Definite
Although nothing definite has de-
veioped I'm other Official quarters mere
10 Indicate the probable permanent
policy Of the new administration, il is
known that the southern part along
the German border Is receiving the
close scrunity of Mr.. Harding and his
advisers. IL generally is expected that
some more concrete, expression Of
this governments attitude may he
forthcoming I'm the near future.
When the army appropriation bill
was under consideration just before
tnauguration. Republican leaders i'm
Congress proceeded on the expccta
ton that the American troops would
be out OF Europe before the first of
July. The bill with its curtailed bud
Eet for the army of occupation failed
OF final enactment and must he taken
mp again at the special session.
Also wrapped up In the Rhine sit
uation In the question OF pas sing d
congressional resolution TO declare q
Hate OF peace with Germany and 1t is
believed the administration will deter
mine It's attitude on such n resolution
In the light OF full Information about
present European conditions.