The Washington times., 1922-12-28
HARDING LIKELY
TO PROTEST
PARLEY
President, in Letter, Voices
Opposition to Senate
Interference.
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consent Of Congress. and no such,
consent has been given. Moreover.
IN creating the World War Debt
Funding Commission that body was
restricted to explicit terms for
rates of interest and ultimate time
of payment. II Congress really
means to facilitate the task OF the
Government in dealing with the
European situation, the first prac-
tical step would be to free the
hands of the commission 20 that
helpful negotiations may be Under
taken.,
Must Walt for Nations.
"It 10 quite generally accepted
that the adjustment of the question
Of reparations must underlie any
economic rehabilitation Of Europe
and reparations cannot be settled
without the consent Of governments
concerned: The United States can.
not assume 10 say to one nation
what II shall pay In reparations.
% nor to another nation what it shall
"In discussions with foreign gov.
ernments the previous administra-
ton and the present Administration
have insisted that the question OF
European debts to the United States
is distinct and apart from the lues-
tion of reparations. but European
nations hold q contrary view, and
1t is wholly inconsistnet to- invite
conference for the consideration
Of questions. In dealing with which
the Government 10 denied all au.
thority by act OF Congress.
Warns Of Suggestion.
80 far as the Limitation Of land
armaments Is concerned, there seems
to be at this time no>more promising
prospect Of accomplishment than
when the conference was held In
Washington year ago. Here, again.
l venture to warn the Senate against
the suggestion to our own people or
a gesture Of 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 q limitation of
auxiliary types Of naval craft. which
are not limited by the present naval
treaty, II is to be said that such an
agreement Is much to be desired,
whenever practicable, but We may
reasonably postpone our further en-
deavors along that line until the
agreements made at the Washing
ton conference secure the final sane. |
tion Of all governments concerned"
Borah Renews Debate.
The Presidents letter, and espe.
cially his reference to the inter. !
allied war debt, became the storm
center of renewed debate as Sena-
tor Borah used 1t to pin down Sen.
ator Lodge and other administra-
ton leaders as to how far the
President desired Congress to free
the hands" of the American Debt
Commissioners.
II asked the President about that
very thing" Lodge said. and he
said to me, the administration has
been steadily against any cancella.
tion Of the debt and is now and
I am authorized to say that IL the
Presidents unalterable position"
But the President evidently
thinks 1t necessary the commission
should be given greater authority"
replied Borah. "Is his reference to
the debt to be taken to mean he
desires Congress to change the
statute creating the commission 20
It may be given greater latitude in
handling the debt problem?"
Against Cancellation.
Greater latitude. perhaps. as to
the rate of interest and the issuance
of bonds and the amortization of
the debt itself, but cancellation of
the debt ID not included within the
consideration of the Administra-
tion." Lodge responded.
Many people hold the opinion
the commission should be given
greater latitude
Does the Senator hold that
opinion?" Borah inquired.
SYes. but I am not in favor of
cancellation" Lodge answered.
The statute now limits the nay.
ment of the debt to twenty-five
years." said Borah. Would the
senator suggest the limitation be
extended beyond that period?"
am not a member Of the Debt
Commission, and therefore am
not in a position to make any sur.
gestion In that respect" was
Lodges rejoinder. II merely want
to make IT. plain the President and
MS Administration are unalterabiy
ia final"
Mccormick Backs Harding.
Senator Mccormick of Illinois.
who recently returned from an Eu.
ropean tour, plunged into the dis.
cussion by expressing agreement
with the Presidents Viewpoint and
opposition to the Borah proposal.
Mccormick said he thought "eco.
nomic collaboration, with European N
states was impracticable as long az
their Statesmen insisted on subordi-
mating economic to political consid.
erations."
Mccormick aroused Borah's ire
by suggesting to the Idaho Sena.
tor he ought to follow the Presl-
dents advice that the action of
Congress could be taken much more
intelligently II proper inquiry had
been made Of the State Department
relative to situation In which we
are trying to be helpful"
THE President had well pointed
out that the State Department is
accessible to us ALL" remarked Nc.
Cormick.
Borsh Uses Sharp Retort.
Borah was on his feet in an in.
slant, with a copy Of the Presi-