The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-30
bORAH M|THDRAWS
sAL TO CALL
ECONOMIC PARLEY.
Action of Idaho Member
Comes As Sensational
Climax to Long Debate
On Senate Floor

WASHINGTON. Dec. 29,-The fight
over the proposal of Senator Borah
that President Harding call an eco
nomic conference came to sensa-
tional climax in the Senate today,
when the Idaho senator announced
that he would withhold his proposed
amendment to the naval appropria-
ton bill on administration assur
ances given by Senator Watson os
indiana that the President already
was sounding out the situation In a
way which might lead to some move
ment which would aid the adjust
ment OF conditions prevailing in Eu
rope. )
Senator Borah made known his de-
cision during the debate after Sem
Hator Watson, one OF the administra-
ton spokesman. who aided admins
tration forces in opposing the pro-
posal, appealed to Mr. Borah not to
press his proposed resolution for sub
stantially the same reasons outlined
in President Harding's letter yester-
day
Senator watson disclosed that adj
ministration "feelers" had been made
as to European policy and referred
to the statement in President Hard
ing's letter that it was necessary
first to ascertain whether overtures
May Hold Conference
"And | go so far as to say" said
the Indiana senator. that that has
been done. and that things that have
been undertaken may, IL successfully
continued. go so far as to result in
the holding of conference in the
future"
Mr.. Watson Their suggested that
Mr.. Borah withhold his amendment
on the ground that the administra
tons course would be embarrassed.
Senator Borah asked whether the
Administrations negotiations were
for the purpose of calling this con-
ference"
mo, not negotiation Senator
Watson replied. what I said was
that 'feefers' had been put out, that
foreign nations We're being sounded
with view to finding out whether
the United States may be helpful and
in my opinion II might lead tota con-
ference. / speak purely for myGelf
as an individual and give my per-
sonal views representing the opin-
ions of nobody in authority. At the
same time / am not entirely ignorant
OF the fact that these feelers have
been put out just as the President
in his letter stated"
A1y Lead to Farley
Senator Watson added that the
situation was not one OF "negotia-
tons" but one OF diplomacy.
Senator Borah asked II the adj
ministration course might "ulti-
mately lead to conference covering
the question of the economic eondi-
, tons sSt ~
ssor to, some gathering for the pur
pose of determining the problem"
Senator Watson replied.
but the senator does know
that the feelers have been put OUT
Senator Borah pressed.
@That is my understanding" Sena-
tor Watson replied.
And that It has for its ultimate
object the adjusting OF the conditions
which now prevail in Europe"
THE aiding of the adjustment"
said Senator Watson. adding that
feelers have been put out for the
last two or three months for the
purpose OF ascertaining the situa-
ton and "just how far we could co.
He declared however, that he was
advised that they looked to the con-
ference proposed by Mr.. Borah and
added that he did not know to what
length the administration effort had
gone.
Position Emphasized
The administrator position was
further emphasized by Senator'S
Lodge of Massachusetts and McCor-
mick of Illinois. The former de-
clared that American ambassadors
and ministers for months had been
inquiring as to the possibility of
American action and contended that
Senator Boral's amendment. II
adopted, would be "harmfuP' to the
ADMINISTRATORS efforts. Senator
Mccormick referred to negotiations
for the Brussels conference but re-
NAMED silent when Senator Borah
pressed for information rs to whether
the United States proposed to par
ficipate in that conference.
ION the statement made by the
senator from Illinois. fMcCormick)
and the statement made by tn.
senator from Indiana (Mr Watson)
and the statement made by the sena-
tor from Massachusetts (Mr. Lodge)
! am perfectly willing to decline to
offer the amendment said Senator
Borah, who soon thereafter left the
chamber. +;