Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-29
THE BORAH AMENDMENT

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The intention of those supporting
the Borah amendment to the Naval
Appropriations Bill are open to in
ference. That love of humanity, de-
dire for restoration Of normal con-
ditions throughout the world and re-
lief from burdens of armament are
the real motives back of it may
fairly be questioned. That no good
may possibly come from it, however,
would be an unwise assertion. But
1t is absolutely certain that unless
the subject is treated with wise con-
sideration and patience it is very
likely to result in serious injury to
our international relations.
AS Senator Lodge remarked, when
nations come together in conference
at. our invitation it assumes grave
importance. The nations involved
should have clear knowledge of
what they are called upon to decide,
should know what we are willing to
and what we will not consider. This
country doesn't want to come under
obligations binding it to action which
we would be unwilling to take when
the time for action came. Senator
Lodge declared that the amendment
as drawn by Borah would permit dis
cussion Of foreign loans. If his con-
tention be correct then the other
parties to the proposed conference
would have reason to suppose we
were willing to modify if not cancel
those loans outright.
We do not think the country has
arrived at that decision, and the
people who must pay the bill should
be consulted; they should know what
the Borah amendment leads to. 1t
seems to- us that, whatever change if
any is to be made regarding these
loans, the position of the Admins
tration that the parties involved in
the reparations, England, France and
Italy, should come to decision res
pecting what those reparations must
be, is correct one. 1t should not be
for us. not party thereto, to deter
mine the amount. This done it is
not impossible that through the
banking system of this Country some
form of relief may be afforded. It is
not impossible that something may
be done in the way of reducing tho
foreign loans, but certainly those
used for purposes other than the war
should in no way be reduced and we
have no information showing the
amount so used.
Mr.. Borah would have a conference
before all this may be determined,
and at which all these subjects might
come up for discussion under condi-
tions such as would aggravate rather
than alleviate the difficulties. He.
who would have us hasten to take
the Lenine government into fellow
ship, is hardly a safe counselor in our
International affairs. True, he sug-
gested the conference for the limita-
ton of armament, but it remained
for President Harding to determine
what should there be considered and
Just what we would agree to do. II
was success. due not to Borah's
wisdom. but to that Of Harding and
hughes. Already the results are ap
parent and it now seems likely
france and possibly Italy will sign
the covenant. In this country Con-
gress has been remiss in keeping up
our naval equipment to the ratio as
signed to us. The Naval Appropria-
ton Bill would correct that. Now
Borah seeks to interfere.
Not so many moons ago the farm
ers Of this country were opposed to
mixing up in the family row across
the water. They have since been
told that the conditions over there
prevent them selling their food pro-
ducts to the hungry people, which in
some degree is true. though not to
the extent they have been led to be-
lieve. They do not wish to sell theit
products for worthless paper. There
has been q gain of exports but they
are obsessed with the idea that il the
foreigner would only stop spending
money for soldiers and that sort of
thing he would be able to buy more
Of our wheat, pork and beef.
They appear to 60 about this joy
fully as though it were a small diff
Guilty to get out OF the way. They
would have 1t done Immediately. They
seem to forget what Byiand told the