Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-12-28

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for IN the Borah plan, President
Harding warned against what
might be "a gesture Of promise to
the world which cannot be full
filled until the nations directly
concerned express their readiness
to cooperate to such an end"
The presidents letter follows:
Questions Wisdom.
My Dear Senator Lodge:--Re-
plying to your inquiry relative to
the proposed amendment to the
pending naval bill. authorizing
and requesting the president to
call an economic conference to
deal with conditions In the war
torn nations OF Europe, I write to
say that | know Of no prohibition
against such an expression OF the
part of the congress, but / do
frankly question the desirability
of such an expression. / think 1t
Is undesirable because Of false
impressions which may be con-
veyed thereby to Europe and even
more undesirable because OF the
wrong impression it conveys to our
own people.
"On the face OF things, it is
equivalent to saying that the ex-
ecutive branch of the government,
which is charged with the conduct
of foreign relations, Is not fully
alive to a world situation which
is OF deep concern to the United
States.
Trying to Help Europe.
GAS a matter of fact, the Eur
opean situation has been given
most thorough and thoughtful
consideration for many months.
Without questioning the good
faith of the proposal. am very
sure 1t would have been more
seemly and the atcion Of the con-
gress could be taken much more
intelligently If proper inquiry had
been made OF the state department
relative to the situation In which
we are trying to be helpful.
''Of necessity, the communioa-
tions Of the state department rela-
tive to delicate matters among ma
tions cannot be hulletlned from
day TO day but the situation is
never withheld from members Of
congress who choose to inquire for
confidential information In
spirit of cooperation. Such In
quiry would have revealed the fu-
tility OF any conference call until
1t is understood that such con-
ference would be welcomed by the
nations concerned, within the
limits OF discussion which the ex-
pressed win of congress compels
this government to impose.
Suggests Means Of Aid.
"In ratlfying the treaty Of peace
with Germany, the senate made a
reservation that the United States
should not be represented on the
reparations commission without
consent OF the congress, and no
such consent has been given.
Moreover, in creating the world
debt funding commission, that
body was restricted to explicit
terms for rates of interest and ul-
innate time OF payment. II con-
gress really means TO facilitate the
task of the government in deal
ing with the European situation,
the the first practical step would
be to free the hands OF the com
mission so that helpful negotla-
tions may be undertaken.
TT is quite generally accepted
that the adjustment of the ques-
ton of reparatlons must underlie
any economic rehabilitation or
Europe, and reparations cannot be
settled without the consent OK
governments concerned, The uni-
ted States cannot assume to say to
one nation what it shall pay in
reparatlons nor to another nation
what it shall accept.
More Authority Needed.
"In discussions with foreign
governments, the previous admin-
istration and the present admins
lstration have insisted that the
question OF European debts to the
United States is distinct and apart
from the question Of reparations
but Europeans hold contrary
view, and 1t Is wholly inconsistent
TO invite a conference for the con-
slderatlon of questions in dealing
with which The government Is de-
MED all authority by act OF con-
gress.
so TAR as the limitation OF land
nrmaments is concerned, there
seems TO be at this time no more
promise OF accomplishment than
- 49,, Fareacn vyaa held in