Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-25
New u. S.
German Pact
Probable

Washington. Jan. 24--(By A. P)-
A new treaty between the United
States and Germany 10 create a COM
mission for arbitration of private
damage claims growing out of the
World War probably will be nego-
tiated under a decision reported to
have been reached tonight at din
ner conference at the White House
between President Harding, Secretary
Hughes and Republican leaders Of the
Senate and House.
Another new administration policy
said to have been agreed upon was
for loan of s5,OOo,o9O to Siberia.
The Genoa economic conference,
| the treaties resulting from the arma-
ment conference and. other interna-
tional probl ms, it was said, were not
discussed at the conference, which
was reported to have been confined
to the war claims arbitration and
LlDeflan loan question:.
Negotiations of the proposed arbi-
| tration treaty was not definitely de-
| cided upon, but President Harding
was said to have indicated that the
suggestion Of new treaty probabiy
would be adopted.
| Under the treaty of Berlin. by
which the United States concluded
he cd
States reserved the right to join with
the Allies in arbitral commissions al
ready established Abroad for the ad-
quotation of war claims.
| The question of the United States
joining in the commission was said
| tc have been thoroughly canvassed by
the President with Secretary Hughes
| and the Senate and House leaders.
many OF whom are members of the
committees dealing with foreign re-
! lations. If America was to partici-
pate in the established arbitration
I commission under the treaty of Yer
sailles, it was said that action within
! three weeks would be necessary be-
: cause OF the recognized hostility of
many Republican senators to any sort
of participation in engagements OF
! the Versailles treaty. the consensus
! of opinion at tonight's conference was
said to be that action under the
! treaty Of Berlin would be impracti-
cable
Secretary Hughes was said to have
expressed the opinion. with concur
renee of the congressional leaders,
that negotiation of a new treaty with
the German government to set mp the
war claims arbitration commission
would be a simpler solution. The
President took the question under ad-
visement and his visitors said they
believe that the new treaty could be
promptly negotiated and ratified with
little difficulty.
The opinion was expressed that the
I German government would accede to
! the proposal for new treaty in view
Of the reported desire OF German cltl-
Zens to have their war claims ADJUST
ed and any surplus Of property re-
turned to them Secretary Hughes.
| 1t was said. was unable to give an
estimate Of the amount of American
! claims involved.
\ Among those who participated in
I the conference We're Secretary
HAghes, Speaker Gillette, Senator
I Lodge, chairman sof the foreign rela-
lions committee. Chairman Porter of
/ the House foreign affairs committee.
representative Mondell. Republican
I leader in the House: Senators Nc,
/ Cumber Of North Dakota. randegee
| Of Connecticut: Lenroot Of Wiscon-
sin and Kellogg of Minnesota. men,
! bers of the foreign relations commit
I tee; Chairman Fordney of the House
ways and means committee, and
| Representatives. Burton of Ohio. a
member of the foreign affairs COM
mittee.