The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-28
Would Cause False Impression
Both Home and Abroad.
Harding Speaks His Opposition
in Letter to Lodge.
DEBATE RESUMED IN SENATE
Plan Is Slap at Executive De-
partment, Says President.
Thinks Inquiry Should Be Made
to Other Nations First.

Washington, Dec. 2S.-Because OF
the false impressions which may be
conveyed to Europe" and the wrong
impressions it conveys to our people
and economic and disarmament con-
ference as proposed by Senator Boraii
is undesirable" President Harding
declared in a letter to Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge OF Massachusetts.
The presidents letter was addressed
to Ledge as chairman of the senate
foreign relations committee and was
read by him in the senate as soon as
debate was resumed on the Borah
proposal an amendment TO the
navy appropriation bill
President Harding said he knew OF
mo prohibition againsI-' an express
sion on the part of congress request
ing the calling of such a world con-
ference. but sad he did frankly ques-
ton the desirability of such an eX-
preston"
Create Wrong Impression.
"I think it is undesira bic" the
president declared, because of the
false impressions which may be con-
veyed thereby to Europe and even
more undesirable because OF the
wrong impression i: CONVEYS TO our
own people,
If congress wants to facilitate the
task of the government in dealing
with the European situation, President
Harding said, the first practical step
would be to free the hands of the
American debt funding commission in
negotiating with European powers for
the payment of their debts TO this
country.
The presidents letter in part fol-
lows:
"On the face of things it is equiva-
lent to saying that the executive
branch of the government, which Is
charged with the conduct of foreign
relations. is not fully alive to world
situation which is of deep concern
to the United States As a matter
OF fact, the European situation has
been given most thoro and thought
ful consideration for many months.
Without questioning the good faith OF
the proposal l am very sure it would
nave been more seemly, and the ac-
ton of the congress could be taken
much more intelligently, If proper in
quiry had been made of the state de-
partment relative to the situation in
which we are trying to be helpful.
Information Available.
"Of necessity, the communications
of the state department relative to
delicate matters among nations can
not be buIletined from day to DAY.
but the situation is never withheld
from members of congress who choose
to inquire for confidential information
n a spirit of cooperation. Such in-
quiry would have revealed the fUtility
derstood that such a conference
would be welcomed by the nations
concerned within the limits of discus
sion which the expressed will OF con
gress compeis this government to I'M
pose.
I'm ratifying the treaty of peace
with Germany, the senate made u
reservation that the United States
reparation commission without con-
sent of congress and no such consent
has been given. Moreover. in Great
ing the World war debt funding COM
that body was restricted 10
explicit terms for rares of interest
and ultimate time OF payment. u
congress really means 70 facilitate tlIe
task of the governmenr IN dealing
with the European situation, the first
practical step would be to free the
hands of the commission so that help
full negotiations may be undertaken.
Preparations First.
1T is quite generally accepted that
the adjustment of tho questions oc
reparations must underlie any cco-
nomic rehabilitation or Europe aud
re parations cannot he settled without
the consent of governments concerned.
The United States cannot assume to
say to one nation wnat it shall pay
in reparations. nor to another nation
" hat IL shall accept.
I'm discussions with foreign gov
ern msntS, the previous ann. ristratiOn
and the present adminIsura ton have
insisted that the question or European
debts to the United STATES Is distinct
and apart from the question OF rep
lrations but European nations hold a
view and il IS wholly incon-
sistent to invite conference for Che
OF questions. in dealing
With which the government Is denied
all authority by act Of congress.
so far as the Limitation OF land
armament is concerned, there seems
10 be at this time, no more promising
of accom- plishn ent than when
he conference was held in Washing
-on a year ago Here. again. 1 ven
-ure to warn the senate against tho
Of our people or a gesture
1f promise to the world which cannot
be fulfilled until the nations directly
concerned express their readiness to
cooperate to such an end.
with respect to a Limitation OF
auxiliary types OF naval craft. which
are not limited by the present naval
reaty, II is to be said that such an
agreement is much 10 be desired.
whenever practicable. but we may
reasonably postponed our further en-
ieavor along that line until the agree
nents made at the Washington con-
erence secure the final sanction Of
III azfafa cd