New-York tribune., 1921-03-05
Biggest Issues
In History Up
To New Chief
Making Peace With Ger
many, War Debts, Jap
anese. Russian and Mexi-
CAN Problems to Fore
Domestic Troubles Many
Tariff and Tax Legislation
Expected TO Come First
as Harding Attacks Job


WASHINGTON. March with in
augural ceremonies out of the way and
his Cabinet confirmed by the Senate
President Harding will turn at once
20 working out the stupcndous inter
national and domestic problems that
confront his Administration-problems
Il graver Importance than ever before
encountered by an incoming President.
Beth foreign and home policies will
he arrived at after consultation with
members OF the official fami Y. Sena-
,ors and Representatives and other
leading minds OF the country. Confer
ences with this end in view VIII oegin
without delay. Some of the domestic
questions are so closely related to the
international problems that the soiu-
tion o. one will point the way for the
other.
Here are the most important inter-
national problems confronting Presi-
dent Harding at this time:
/. The making Of peace with Ger
many. The first step probably will be
the adoption Of the Knox resolution. or
similar one. declaring the war to be
at an end. unless the Allies and Ger
many should fail to come to terms on
PREPARATIONS.
2 The war debts. Europe wants
Co cancel everything. Sentiment in
this country at present at least, seems
overwhelmingly against such q course
now. Some plan of refunding these
ten billions OF debts must be agreed
upon with our allies.
3. Shall Japan retain the mandate
over the island of Yar? The Wilson
administration protested. but the
League of Nations council confirmed.
Mr.. Harding must settle this question
with Japan. It is one involving COM
merce in the Orient. Unless zap is
internationalized the United States
will be without cable base in the
Pacific. Its commerce viii be at the
mercy of Japan. Mr.. arding has in
dictated he favors a firm policy toward
Japan
Trading with Russia will be up
FOR Mr.. Harding to decide. The Will
son Admins tration turned deaf ear
TO all pleas to recognize 'the Soviet
government 1t is expected the new
President will continue his policy un-
less Russia shows a disposition to take
the possibilities of a nation among
nations
S. Recognition Of Mexico The Obre-
gon government. it is expected will
be recognized, but with the insistence
tiidt .-AiltIiNdI lives anu american
property must be protected.
s. The establishment of a better un-
derstanding between this country and
South and Central American countries
with view to creating improved trade
relationships.
Z. The Irish question.
Domestic Issues Difficult
While the international questions
are given first place they are of bv
no means the first in Importance And
they probably will give Mr.. Harding
less trouble and worry than the domes-
tic problems before him. The country
expects the Harding Administration to
relieve it from the present economic
Ills, Que not only to war and IS after
effects. but to Democratic policies.
One of Mr.. Hardings biggest home
problems Will be to put through party
legislative matters, due to the topheavy
majorities in both the House and SEN
ate. 1t will be delicate matter for
him to harmonic and keep in working
order the various elements in his partv.
The more important domestic ques-
tions before the Republican Admins
tration are:
Tariff for protection as we'll as
revenue.
Revision Of the tax laws
Soldier bonus legislation.
Refunding of Liberty and Victory
loans with a view to bringing the OBJ
legations to par Gone Of the campaign
promises).
The railroads, which are demanding
help. The farmers, particularly, and
some business interests, are demand
ing lower rates. Labor doesn't want
its pay reduced.
immigration, problem which re.
suited from Mr.. Wilson's pocket veto
Of the Johnson-Dillingham 3 per cent
Improved markets for farm products
and a better system of rural credits
which will enable the farmer to bor-
row for longer periods and on his
growing crops and livestock as we'll as
on his land.
Labor-the appointment of James J
Davis as Secretary of Labor over the
protests of Samuel Gompers and other
American Federation of Labor leaders
indicates that the Administration will
deal with this problem from the view
point of all workingmen rather than
that of organized labor
Tariff to Come First
Tariff legislation, which it is under
stood comes first in the opinion Of Mr.
Harding 1t is expected he will ap-
prove the reenactment of the Payne
hidrich schedules as q stop-gap meas
ure. Once this is done it will be up tc
the President to decide whether tai
legislation or permanent tariff legis-
lation is of the greater Importance
There is probability taxation Will come
first
Because Of the many views within
his party 1t viii be necessary. it is
thought, for MIR. Harding finally to
rort the way on both taxation anc
tariff.
Republicans are far apart on tn,
tariff. The farmers want protection
The consumers generally do not want
thc farm products protected and busi-
ness men generally in the East realize
.h.. If the United States, which now is
i creditor nation, is to do business with
Yhc world it must accept the products
OF other countries in payment of debts
Again. it seems, Mr.. Harding will have
70 pu his party out of the wilderness
If 1t Is to come out-on this question
Congressional leaders will be guidec
iargely by the wishes of Mr.. Harding
y dealing with the soldier bonus prob.
en- In view of the fact that the bill
rep ~rtrd hv the Senate con,r1i.toe will
cost all the way from 81 500 900 600 tc
So 500 100000. this question is very
closely related to that of taxation. Ger.
tainl MIR. Harding wi! have TO take the
responsibility of decid ng this question
Great promises were made to the
farmers succeeded in keeping thei,
measures before the session just closed
most of the time. but they lacked the