The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-03-09
PRESIDENT HARDING
MEETS HIS CABINET:
FIRST CONFERENCE HELD WITH
DEPARTMENT HEADS AT THE
WHITE HOUSE WITH WIDE
DISCUSSION OF FOREIGN RE-
LATIONS AS WELL AS PROB
LENS AT HOME.

Washington, March 8.-Varlous as
poets of the nations foreign rela-
tions as we'll as problems of admin
istrative organization were consid-
cred by President Harding and his
department heads today at the first
cabinet meeting of the new admin
istration.
Afterward definite announcement
was made at the war department
in formulating his policy towards
the Rhine situation that this govern
ment is not now, considering with
drawal of American troops of occu-
patton. 1t was learned at the same
time that as another step toward Pan
American amity the president is pre-
pairing to ask that the senate rati-
fly at once the long pending treaty
with Colombia.
Developments in regard to the Pan
ama-Costa Rica hostilities were less
definite but. it is understood the cab
met took cognizapce of that situa-
ton and canpassed official reports on
the subject. The next step awaits
receipt of a reply from Panama to
the American note dispatched Satur-
day.
In the realm of domestic questions
major attention was directed toward
perfection of the cabinet organiza-
ton as smoothly working machine.
Mr.. Harding is understood to have
made cooperation among the depart
ments the keynote of his preliminary
instructions 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.
After the meeting ali the secreta-
ries declined to give an intimation
of what had transpired around the
cabinet table and the only announce
ment coming from the White House
related to the time of future ses-
sions.
The war department announcement
concerning withdrawal of American
troops from the Rhine was made by
Secretary Weeks who would not dis
cuss the subject further than to say
that withdrawal was not now being
considered. In reaching this deci-
sion in regard to it's temporary pol
icy the administration is understood
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 while the
American forces remained behind on
the lines originally occupied by them
under the armistice agreement.
Situation Under Observation.
Although nothing definite has de-
veloped in other official quarters
here to indicate the probable perma-
nent policy of the new administration
it is known that the situation now
presented along the German border
is receiving the close scrutiny of Mr..
Harding and his advisers. 1t gen
orally is expected that some more
concrete expression Of this govern
ments 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 eXpecCa-
tion that the American troops would
be out of Europe before the first of
July. The bill with it's 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 a
congressional resolution to declare
a state of peace with Germany and
it is believed the administration will
determine its attitude on such a res
olution in the light of full informa-
tion about present European condi-
! 1'"''