Evening journal., 1922-12-28
HARDING DOESN'T
WANT PARLEY

Continued From First Pager
the reparatlons commission and pro-
hibition OF the debt commission
from granting more liberal funding
terms to Americas world war
debtors
A settlement Of the repararions
question must underly any economic
rehabilitation of Europe" MIR. Hard
ing said, but he emphatically de-
clared that the United States wolld
never say to one nation wha; 1t
should pay or to another what It
should accept"
In the letter which attacked the
hackers of the Borah resolution
rather pointedly the President indi-
Gated that he resented the Idaho
Senator's move on the ground that
II seemed to assume the executive
branch of the government was not
fully alive TO the world situation
which was OF deep concern to the
United States.
European nations. he said, do not
have the view OF the United states
that the foreign debt question is dis
tinct from the reparstions and Il Is
wholly inconsistent TO invite a con-
ference for the consideration of
questions in dealing with which the
government is denied all authority
by Congress"
Limitation of land armament is
impossible at the present time, Mr..
Harding declared in again warning
the Senate not to arouse impossible
hopes among the people of this
country and the world.
As to further limitations of naval
craft, such as restrictions on the
construction of auxiliary craft, sub
marines and aircraft as proposed
by the House appropriations COM
mittee. the President said such ac-
ton was desirable. but eXprdssed
the opinion that it would be better
to postpone such a step until
France and Italy act on the Wash
ington conference treaties
The Presidents letter follows:
my Dear Senator Lodge-Reply-
ing to your inquiry relative to the
proposed amendment TO the pending
naval bill authorizing and requesting
the President to cali an economic
to deal with conditions in
the war nations OF Europe. / write to
say that l know of no prohibition
against such an expression on the
part of Congress, but 1 do frankly
question the desirability of such an
/ think It is undesirable
because OF the false impressions
which may be conveyed thereby to
and even more undesirable
because OF the wrong impression II
conveys to our own people.
ION the face of things 1t is equiv
alent to saying that the executive
branch of the government, which is
charged with the conduct of foreign
relations is not fully alive to the
world situation which is OF deep con-
Germ 10 the United States. As a mat
ter OF fact the European situation
has been given most thorough and
thoughtful consideration for many
months. Without questioning the
good faith OF the proposal. / am very
sure Il would have been more seemly.
and the action of the Congress could
be taken much more intelligently. II
proper inquiry had been made 90 the
State Department relative to the sit
uation in which we are trying to be
helpful.
"Of necessity the communications
of the State Department relative to
delicate matters among nations can
not be bulletined from day to day.
but the situation is never withheld
from members of Congress who
choose to inquire for confidential
in the spirit of coopera-
ton. Such inquiry would have re-
vealed the futility OF any conference
call until it is understood that such
a conference would be welcomed by
the nations concerned. within the
limits of discussion which the ex-
pressed will OF Congress impels this
to impose.
"In ratifying the treaty peace
with Germany, the Senate made a
reservation that the United States
should not be represented on the
commission without con-
sent of Congress and no such con-
lent has been given. Moreover, in
,reating the world war debt funding
that body was restricted
o explicit terms for rates OF interest
md ultimate time OF payment.
IF Congress really means to facili- |
ate the task OF the government in |
lealing with the European situation |
he first practical step would be to |
rec the hands OF the commission 1
hat helpful negotiations may be un- !
lertalxen.
1T is quite generally accepted
hat the adjustment of the question
of reparations must underly any
economic rehabilitation of Europe
md reparations cannot be settled
without the consent of the govern
nents concerned. The United States /
'annot assume to say to one nation
hat It shall pay in reparations, nor
o another nation what it shall ac-
ept.
"In discussions with foreign gov
rnment the previous admin5stra-
ion and the present administration
lave insisted that the question OF
European debts TO the United States
, distinct and apart from the ques-