Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-28
BORAH PROPOSAL
IS EMBARRASSING
HARDING EFFORTS
Lodge Attacks Economic
Conference Move of
Idaho Senator.
ADMITS PRESIDENT
NOW is NEGOTIATING
Senate Floor Leader Holds
Amendment Would Ham.
per Executive.
DEBATE LASTS FOUR HOURS
krostlc OF American Aloofness
Wakes Eloquent In Defense of
Finance Gathering.
ADMITS PRESIDENT
NOW is NEGOTIATING
DEBATE LASTS FOUR HOURS
&rostlc OF American Aloofness
Wakes Eloquent in Defense of
Finance Gathering.
tBy Associated Press.l


WASHINGTON. Dec. o7.-The nrs.
official disclosure that President
Harding is negotiating towards an
international conference for the con-
sideration OF European economic
problems was made by Senator Lodge,
Of Massachusetts, the Republican
floor leader. during opening debate
in the Senate today on the proposal
OF Senator Borah, Republican. Idaho.
for the President to call an interna-
tional conference to discuss economic
problems and ornaments.
IN opposing the Borah proposal,
which is in the form OF an amend
ment to the naval appropriation bill.
Senator Lodge urged that the Presi-
dent be not embarrassed ain the eff
forts which he Is now making as q
matter of fact"
Lodge Opposes Amendment.
Senator Lodge. in tho course OF an
hours address against the Borah
amendments as presented, did not op-
pose ihe calling OF an economic con-
ference. but said 1t should be careful
~ and strictly defined with such
questions as reparations. allied debts
aud immigration specifically cxclud-
cd from consideration.
The state Department. which has
consistently maintained silence as to
any efforts the administration might
be making in reference to improv-
ing economic and business conditions
In Europe. declined to add anything
| TO the statement OF Senator Lodge,
| but it was learned that President
Harding was considering seriously
| transmitting a letter to the Senate
| giving information of his negotia-
tions and at the same time deploring
any intervention from Congress
which might operate TO hinder his
| efforts.
Sounding Out Powers.
II is understood that. through the
state Department, the President hSs
been sounding out" several powers
regarding the desirability OF holding
! an economic conference. Whether
the proposed conference would be
called by or held in the United States
! or whether this nation would be "A
participant were. however. important
details not disclosed. Secretary
Hughes conferred with the President
at the White House late today for
an hour. but no announcement was
made at its conclusion and there was
no intimation OF whether it related
TO the economic conference discus
sons.
Long Discussion In Senate.
The Borah amendment was dis
cussed for four hours in tho Senate,
Senators Lodge and Lenroot. Repub-
ltcan, Wisconsin. speaking in oppo-
sition, and Senators Borah and Will
Hams. Democrat. Mississippi, in be-
half of the proposal. No action was
| taken on the question. and further
debate went over until tomorrow.
The opening debate on the amend
ment developed the full force OF ad-
ninlstration disapproval for IL as
| drafted and also bipartisan support
and opposition. Administration lead
ers mapped out program to defeat
the amendment on a parliamentary
point of order II possible. and on a
! direct vote II the parliamentary
| poin; should fail.
Point of Order Planned.
Before the Senate convened about
! thirty Republican Senators gathered
| IN the office OF Senator Lodge and
| planned the fight against the Borah
prouposal. II was arranged that
Senator PoindeXter. Republican,
/ Washington, in charge OF the naval
| bill. should make the point of order
! that the amendment was not ger
| name and went far beyond the pro-
| vision incorporated in the bill by the
| House for conference to consider
armament limitation with reference
To naval vessels OF 10000 tons or less
and 10 military and naval aircraft
Republican and Democratic Lead
ers as well. said they believed the
parliamentary point would be sus-
tanned and the Borah amendment
Continued on Page Q. Col. S.)