The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-14
Chiefs of Powers at Washington
Responsible for Report.
AMERICA WILL NOT DE-STEP
Strong Pressure Being Exerted
on President Harding.
Fiye-Year Moratorium of War
Debts Is Suggested.

Washington, Dec. IA Copyright,
1921, by International News SerVlce(
"A world conference to discuss eco
uomic and financial readjustments Will
be called within ninety days after the
adjournment of the present armament
conferences, according to the beliefs
privately expressed today by influen-
tiai European statesmen now In WASH
ington. Their beliefs are shared by
some high officials of the Harding ad-
ministratiOn.
Whefher the proposed conference
will be held in Washington, IN Lon
don or in Paris, remains to be de-
termined, but the view IS held that one
of the three capitals will witness the
assembly Of the worlds leading finan-
ciaI and economic figures before
March l.
Strong pressure is being brought to
bear upon President Harding and
members of his cabinet to call the
conference in Washington. Foreign
visitors now here have gone so far
as to impress upon American officials
that the success of such a conference
depends largely upon Americas TAX
ing the initiative.
Thus far administration officials
have refused to commit themselves
They have listened attentively, even
sympatherically, to the proposals that
have been made informally, but have
said little. President Harding inform
ed at least two European statesmen
who approached him that he could
give the matter no serious considera-
ton until the present Washington con-
ference is ended. To call another
world conference while the first is in
the making, would be rushing things
too fast, the president believed.
End Now Is In Sight.
The end of the Washington con-
ference IS now in sight. Unless all
signs fail the conference viii be out
of Washington by New Years and II
will then rest with the administration
as to whether Europe's pleas are to be
needed.
European statesmen, however, as
sert their belief if that President
Harding does not take the initiative,
Lloyd George willard with much
less chances for ..uccess.
Regardless of who calls the confer
ence, American participation in it is
regarded as virtually certain By the
time the present conference is ended,
the administration hopes to have the
foreign funding bill passed by con-
gress, which will put into the execu-
tive's hands the power to arrange set
tlement of the $1,000, zoe, 600 which
Europe owes the United States.
America May Not Attend.
Influential members of the admins
tration are convinced that America
VIII not try to escape participation.
They merely point to the unsettled
state of foreign Indebtedness and the
fact that Americas foreign trade has
shrunk 100 per cent since the war
ended as twin proofs that Americas
interests are too vital to permit stay
ing out.
According to the view of European
visitors, as expressed to members of
the administration, the conference
would deal generally with these four
pressing problems.
/. German Preparations.
2. Foreign Indebtedness.
3. Sterilization of exchange rates.
4. Tariffs.
The root of the whole situation is
in the first two problems, according to
Europes spokesman. Once settled,
these two problems, get them on a
stable basis so the governments con-
cerned can figure on the future with
some degree of certainty, they believe,
and the rest of the worlds economic
ills will be well on the road to re-
covery.
In this connection it has been sug-
gested Informally here that payment
Of German reparations and all foreign
loans be arbitrarily put off five years
to afford to the governments concern
ed a breathing spell. The distinct
GOODNESS with which Americans have
received suggestions looking to can