Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-29
Harding Asks Senate
to xii b0rah'S Plan
for f Economic ParIey
Adoption of Idaho Senator Proposal Would En-
barass Negotiations Already Under Way, Pres
ident Says in Letter to Lodge; Wants Congress
to Extend Time for Debtors; Debate Started

Washington, Dec % - President
Harding informed the senate Thursday
that action by it on Senator Borah s
plan for an economic and dlsarma-
ment conference was not advisable in
view of what the executive branch of
the government already is doing Ito
be helpful
Just what the steps already taken or
in contemplation by the administra
ton may be, however. the president
did not reveal. He said members of
congress could learn if they inquired
in the proper way. but that state de-
partment communication on so deli
cate subject obviously could not be
'bulletined from day to day
If congress really wants to help. =
he added, it might well free the
hands" Of the debt funding commission
which under the act creating it. cannot
after the interest terms or date of
payment of the war debts.
Senator Lodge presented the presi-
dents letter Immediately after the
senate convened and the reading of it
by clerk was listened to attentively
by senator's on both sides of the
chamber.
Senator Borah noted on a pad of
paper the high spots of the communi-
cation and smiled broadly at the presi-
dents declaration that the proposed
amendment would in effect give the
impression that the executive branch
of the government was not fully
alive to the present world situation,
and that congress could facilitate the
work of the debt commission 'by free
ing the hands of that body
McNary Supports Borah
gon, gained the floor after the letter
had been read and began an address
in behalf of the Borah proposal. which
he championed as measure likely to
aid the American farmer by restoring
Europe and increasing European pur-
chases of American agricultural prod
ucts.e
An active member of the senate
farm bloc. Senator McNary declared
his OPPOSITION to an American policy
of isolation Also he said he knew
his views would rouse what he termed
the international statesmen bloc of
the senate"
Il shall never know" said Senator
McNary. whether it was the stub
bornness of our distinguished presi-
dent. Woodrow Wilson, the perversity
of the able senator from Iassachu-
setts. Mr.. Lodge. or the eloquence of
the irreconcilables that prevented the
ratification of the Versailles treaty.
vet | shall always think. as a mild
reservationist, that much of the unrest
and hatred attending the nations at
this time would not have occurred if
this treaty containing the covenant Of
the League of Nations. with the Lodge
reservations. had been ratified.
Senator McNary said the Borah
amendment would not obligate America
to any aggressive. nor defensive mill
tary action, nor precipitate the nation
into any political maelstrom.
Would Revive Trade
It would be step. he said. to re-
establishment of European trade He
suggested that German reparations /
should be reduced and that increased
trade with Europe was needed more
by American farmers than the pending /
farm credits legislation. /
Senator Lodge later told the senate |
that he could not state explicitly" the |
nature of the administration negotia- !
tons for a conference, but was author |
lied to say they did not include can
collation. of the allied debt
He said President Harding told him !
the administration was opposed to can |
but inclined to favor longer |
and interest payments.
Senator Borah. discussing the presi- |
dent't letter briefly. asked for informa-
ton regarding the administration nego-
tiations. |
II am not in a position to say pre- |
cisely what they include" Senator |
Lodge replied. But | can say what i
they do not include. They do not in
clude cancellation of the foreign debt.
I asked that question of the president.
He said: why, this administration has
been steadily against cancellation of
the debt and is now.'