Evening star., 1922-12-31
By HENRY ". BUM.
. HE following is a brief summary of
the most important news Of the world
for the seven days ended December 30i

" HE following Is brief summary Of
the most important news of the world
for the seven days ended December 3oi
United States Of America-On resuming
business after the brief Christmas rush. the
Senate proceeded to debate the amendment
offered by Senator Borah to tho last clause
Of the naval bill. which amendment proposed
international conference at Washington to
consider world economic problems q. e.. most
particularly. Of course. tho problem Of Ger
man reparations) and the subject of further
limitation Of armaments-land. sea and air.
The leader Of the attack against the proposed
amendment was Senator Lodge and of the
defense Senator Borah. 1t developed in the
course of the debate that for some time past
the administration has been engaged in "con-
versations" with foreign governments. with
view to American helpfuness toward a settle-
ment of Europe's economic problems. espe-
, cially the problem of German reparations.
Having satisfied himself by ingenious cross
questioning of senator's in closest touch with
the administration that the administration was
moving vigorously and in the right direction
Senator Borah withdrew hts proposed amend
ment.
The following extracts from speech made
ican Historical Association at New Haven
seem to indicate the nature of the sugges-
s,as ssns made by our to the inter-
Statesmen" said Secretary Hughes. "have
their difficulties. their public opinion. their
eX1gencfeS which they must face 1t is de-
voutly to be hoped that they (the premiers of
Great Britain. France. Italy and Belgium) will
erect settlement among themselves and that
Paris on January IS will Will find % Solution solution, but ut
II 1t does not, what should be done?
If statesmen cannot agree and eXigencies
Of Of public opinion make their course difficult
who can point the way to solution.
why should they not invite of the
highest authority in finance in their respective
countries--men of such prestige. experience
and honor that their agreement upon the
for working out the payments. would be ac-
cepted throughout the world the most au-
thorftative expression obtainable? Govern
ments need not bind themselves in advance
at least make possible such inquiry with
their approval and free the who may
represent their country in such commission
from any responsibility to foreign offices and
I'm other words. they may invite answer
to this difficult and pressing question from
men of such standing and in such circumstance
of freedom as will insure reply prompted
no doubt that distinguished Americans would
be willing to serve such commission.
"If governments saw fit to reject the recon-
mendation upon which such body agreed
have the advantage of impartial advice and
of enlightened public opinion. Peoples
would be informed. the question would be
rescued from assertion and counter assertion
II do not believe that any general confer
ence would answer the purpose better, much
less that any political conference would ac-
complish result which premiers find it i'm
possible to reach"
Apparently it was neither proposed nor de-
sired by our government that such a confer
ence as the one suggested above should meet
in the United States.