Evening star., 1922-12-26


dent TO summon an international eco
nomic conference have been advised
privately that the executive branch of
the government already has been dis
cussing the project with other powers
and that action by the Senate at this
time might be construed as commit
ting the United States government TO
course of action which II might
otherwise be free TO avoid
Parallels Former Circumstances.
Curiously enough. Mr.. Borah's pro-
posal and the circumstances which
surround il are almost identical with
the situation which existed before Mr..
Harding called the conference on Pa
cific problems and reduction of arma-
ment. The President was in negotia
ton with other governments when Mr..
Borah's resolution was projected. and
II looked to the outside world as if the
Idaho senator had driven the President
into the course he finally took The
show that the subject was being dis
cussed in diplomatic channels long be-
fore it was mentioned in the Senate.
Mr.. Harding is not averse to the
idea of an international economic
conference. He would gladly have
hasn't made up his mind that it would
be good thing for America or the
world for him to take the initiative.
Upon the country calling any inter
national conference rests the reSpon-
sibility for the program.
Europe Must Make Offer.
When the armament conference met
in Washington secretary Hughes laid
before the assembled nations at the
outset the sacrifices America was
willing to make. Such an obligation
might seem 10 be imposed again in
an international economic conference.
but the Harding administration has
no such program TO offer at this time.
II feels that the European nations
have problems " hich they must offer
TO solve and which depend absolutely
on the political relations of France.
Germany, Belgium, Italy and Great
Britain.
The nearest thing 10 a suggestion of
a solution for that phase Of the Iaatter
which III" United states has made was
contained IN President Hardings last
address to Congress wherein he pro-
posed that the four-poWer pact idea be
applied TO other areas of the world.
The belief for the moment at any rate
is that an economic conference would be
futile unless il is preceded by a confer
ence of premiers or ambassadors EN-
tons of Europe. Until such an atmos-
phere prevails the chickering's over the
economic problems would probably get
no farther than they have heretofore.
Land Armnments Hit L. s.
The United States would be glad
to attend a conference to stabilize
the political relations of European
and American nations through an
agreement TO limit land armament.
1t would go somewhat against the
81 in he
liticai conference which would mere
ly arrange another balance of power.
But the question of land armament
is not merely a European matter. Its
expense is indirectly affecting the
prices of American farm products. II
Europe's currency were higher III
value the purchasing power of the
European people would be greater
and the export trade of America
would be inproved-that's admitted
beyond question in official quarters
here. If land armaments We're re-
duced European budgets would he
balanced and the currencies of all ma
tions would corresponding increase
in value.
So, on the broad ground of reducing
land armament. conference on At
lantic problems-to limit construction
of airplanes and submarines-and at
the same time discuss land armament,
which wasn't treated at the WASH
ington parley n year ago, is being
discussed by the powers. America
wants such a conference held in Eu-
rope, where European problems can
be better discussed and where Ameri-
can disinterestedness can come into
full play. 1t is hoped here the con-
ference will be called for London or
Brussels or Tho Hague, and conversely
it is hoped the conference will not be
called for either Paris or Berlin
where the atmosphere is not as pro-
ductive of reconciliation as it might
be elsewhere.
Cabinet Delegates Likely.
An American delegation consisting
of republicans and democrats would
probably be selected by President
Harding. Because of the combined
political and economic problems in
volved. Secretary of State Hughes.
Secretary of the Treasury Mellon and
Secretary of Commerce Hoover are
being talked of for at least three
places on such a commission. But
the idea is growing that a political
must either precede or run
with an economic confer
ence. That's why Senator Borah's
resolution. even II passed. may not be
acted upon at once. The powers have
already approved the idea of some
kind of conference.-the things to be
decided a.y - hen and where such a
shall be called and what
shall be the scope of its discussions.
tcop, tight. 1927