The New York herald., 1922-12-28

OF the conversion OF Saul of Tarsus,"
said Senator Lenroot (Wis).
'I would remind the Senator from
Wisconsin" shot back Mr.. Borah. that
by his conversion Paul OF Tarsus saved
his life"
Senator Lodge opened the debate on
the Borah amendment by pointing out
serious objections TO a world confer
ence at this time. He was answered
in a fiery speech by Mr.. Borah. who
said that unless something is done TO
aid Europe within the coming year
war would be imminent, not among the
small nations but between the great
Powers.
1T will be useless" said Senator
Lodge, "to call a conference for
limitation OF land armaments without
knowing as a preliminary step that
France was ready TO withdraw her OBJ
iections and ready TO consider with
the other Powers the limitation of her
land forces. 1t would be futile to call
conference for the reduction of land
armaments unless it was known that
those Powers that were summoned
were not EOlUB " ODJtSl at lily bC-
ginning to any consideration of that
point.
Assurances Arc Lacking.
II hope and believe and l have every
reason to believe that France will
ratify the treaties OF Washington
Within a very short time. but we have
received no information so far as l
am aware from France. from Hollard,
from Japan or from Italy that they
aie ready 90 meet us in conference
and place limitations upon submarine
ahd auxiliary craft.
s''As in the case of land armaments
Il would be perfectly idle to take the
great responsibility of calling con-
ference to consider limitations which
were rejected only year ago unless
We had assurances from the Powers
invited that they were ready to con-
slder the question OF limitation for
surface and submarinersurface and for
auxiliary craft generally.
1T might not do any harm except
To put us in rather an absurd position
Of asking for a conference to consider
limitations of armament which we
knew beforehand would be refused,
but it certainly would do no good.
Before having an effective confer
ence for the further limitation of ar
naments, It seems to me there is
nothing to be gained until we are in
formed and until Congress is informed
by those charged with our foreign re-
lations that the time has come when
we can have conference which would
uk effective"
Navy Not Well Balanced.
senator Lodge told the Senate that
although the United States Navy was
very powerful in capital ships, de-
stroyers and submarines, it was not
well balanced and was sadly in need
% fast, light cruisers, airplane carriers
and airplanes.
tThe Senator depiored the tendency to
ctt the strength of the navy below the
phint of efficiency.
II have no sympathy" he added, with
Ire extremes to which the House has
ebne-I was about TO say in the destruc-
ton OF the arIny--bUt in reducing 1t to
appoint so low as TO be positively peril
Gus 1t is not economic II is the most
reckless extravaganza 10 reduce the
army ana navy to point where we
have no means OF performing the duties
which every great nation is obliged to
perform. l confess see nothing TO be
gained by our issuing an invitation
which we know would either not be
accepted, or if accepted, would be fruit
less.'
Turning his attention 10 the proposal
Cor an economic conference, Senator
.cdge contended that, this was plainly
subject TO a point ef- order. He said
tic Borah amendment was very broadly
drawn and had no Boundaries
s''Tt seems to me that we ought to
know" said Senator Lodge before we
adopt the amendment exactly what the
powers of the conference are to be and
illst what il purposes doing. As worded
ilitre Is nothing to prevent such con-
ference from considering the question OF
HE foreign debt due to the United
States. 1t seems to me that that Is a
question which should be excluded.
II think the debt due the United
states should be considered by and dealt
with the United States alone. l do not
think there is any desire on the part OF
tie people Of the United States to deal
with these debts otherwise than gener-
ously and fairly but do not think they
would care TO have their fate settled by
other powers.
America and Kcparnttons.
Under the conference, OF course. we
could be called on TO take part in the
i.eparations Commission. We are seek
ing no ,rcparations But we should be
called on to take part in II and enter
to that extent into revision of the
treaty OF Versailles Such confer
cncc would undoubtedly have power 60
consider advancing large sums OF new
money TO help Germany or to help
France.
There arc many other things In
volved. If we are 10 enter upon the
business OF restoring stability in Eu-
rope, OF course, we shall be called on
not only TO help France. Italy and Ger
many. but the Austrian States of the
former Empire. the Balkans, Asia Mi
nor. and ] suppose. Russia.
There is one thing we should not
permit. and that is TO invite all the
nations % meet us and have any mis-
understanding about our. attitude be-
fdre VIC go into the conference.
"The question OF immigration could
not. in my opinion. be kept out under
is very terms. !, for one. should not
oe willing 20 have that question 20 be-
fore the conference at all. do not
suppose the conference would take Up
any purely political question, but
when upNfilfnr ie Ia roo .,I h,onl .