The New York herald., 1922-12-22

Government approve of an American
commission unless France and Germany
were willing to accept it, That wash
ington has informally suggested aroi-
tration to France appears certain, Dut
the suggestion did not involve the
thought OF the assumption by this Gov
ernment Of the role of umpire.
II Is said that France has countered
with an inquiry as 20 what guarantees
she would have that Germany would
pay any sum decided on. The Admin
istration Is believed TO regard che pres
ent status OF the discussion SO delicate
as not 10 warrant comment or explana-
tiou.
silence. however. does not mean ebb-
Z Ing confidence by officials. Obstacles
are being encountered. and may be
said that everything depends on whether
France is willing that reparations be
taken out of politics and adjusted oy
experts after a study OF the situation
That she is getting more and more ready
to do so is the belief
Borah Asks Conference.
An important development of the day
as rejecting the attitude of Congress
toward European adjustment was
resolution Of Senator William L. Borah
Harding to call an international con-
ference to settle economic problems.
Senator Borah's resolution. which en-
bodies the request for a conference Tor
the further limitation OF armamenss
was introduced as an amendment to the
naval appropriation bill. The resolu-
tion said
That the President is authorized
and requested to invite such Govern
~ or
expedient TO send representatives to a
conference which shall be charged with
the duty Of considering the economic
problems now obtaining throughout the
world with a view of arriving at such
understandings or arrangements as may
seem essential TO the restoration OF
trade and 10 the establishment of sound
financial and business conditions. and
also 60 consider the subject of further
limitation or ornaments. with view
OF reaching an understanding or agree
ment upon said matter both by land
and by sea. and particularly relative
to limiting the construction of all types
and sizes of subsurfacs craft of 10000
tons standard displacement or less. and
of aircraft"
Senator Lodge (AIass), chairman Of
the Foreign Relations Committee, re-
fused to comment upon the Borah
amendment other than to say sit is new
legislation and does not properly belong
in the bill" He gave the impression
that an effort win be made to kill the
Borah proposal on that ground
I'VE are travelling" said Senator
Borah, lin vicious circle. We enacted
an emergency and also permanent tar
fff bill. Nevertheless. the cry of dis
tress from the producers OF the country
is even more pteous than at any time
since the war
We had disarRament conference a
year ago. We are now advised by n
committee report OF the other House
that, unless these agreements hereto
fore made are extended. competition in
naval armaments win be on again. The
committee says that Il this competition
IN not checked, this Government must
launch a new naval building program
TO keep abreast of The other Powers.
There could be nothing more destruc-
tive of all hope of recovery in economic
affairs than a reope ming of competitive
armament construction
No business man. nor any one else.
who has reflected upon the situation.
dares 20 look over the next year II II
IS TO be similar to the year Just passing
IT seems to me that there ought to be
an heroic effort made. not only to stop
this threatened naval race. but also to
deal with, economic conditions. The
question of reparations is the key to
the European situation. IL that cannot
be adjusted nothing can be adjusted
" may be possible in a conference of
this kind to break the deadlock on that
subject If there is a better program
anywhere around. I should be glad to
waive the suggestion"