The New York herald., 1922-12-24
HARDING IS OPPOSED
TO ECONOMIC PARLEY
BUT SENATE IS FOR IT
Poll Indicates That BOrah
Amendment Will Have
Easy Victory.
FARM BLOC FOR PLAN
Watson COnsultS President
and Returns With OPP
position Stand.
JOHNSON ALSO OBJECTS
Executive May Ignore Pro-
posal if 1t Becomes Part
of Naval Bill.
JOHNSON ALSO OBJECTS
Special Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HgraLp.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Dec. %.

Special Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HEEsLc.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Dec. %.
President Harding to-day put his
foot down on the request for him to
call a world conference in Washing
ton to study economic questions as
naval appropriations bill offered by
Senator Borah Udaho).
The President takes the position
that IL such a conference were held II
would only add to the confusion of
affairs in Europe.
Since the Borah amendment calling
for the conference is 20 come before
the Senate in few days for disposi-
tion, Senator Watson (Ind), one Of
the Administration leaders. went to
the White House to-day 10 sound out
the President on the plan. On his re-
turn Mr.. Watson refused TO state the
Presidents position. From other
sources it was learned. however. that
the President frowned upon the sug-
gestion. He takes the ground, 1t is
said, that the Borah proposal under
takes too much and would lead TO
serious political involvements.
Senator wutsop's Reservation.
Senator Watson said he was opposed
TO the Borah plan for a world confer
ence on economic questions unless the
following reservations were adopted:
That the conferees have no authority
TO cancel any part of the debts owed
this country.
That none OF the propositions COW
cred by the Versailles treaty be con-
sidered.
The inference was drawn from Sem
ator watson's comment that his own
position on the proposition Is similar to
that held by the President.
No serious thought is being given by
Administration Senators TO the possi-
biity OF amending the Borah proposal
TO meet the Presidents wishes. SEN
ators pointed out It would be absurd to
add reservations to an appropriation bill.
-
clearly that the Borah plan as 1t now
stands will be adopted by "a large ma
jority. Senator McNeary (Ore.) says
the farm bloc to a man is In favor OF
II. as are all other agricultural Sen
ators. The farmers, he says, are enthusi-
astic over the plan as they believe IL
offers a vehicle for solution OF the
problem OF finding market for their
surplus goods.
President Not obligated.
While the Administration forces ap-
parentiy will be outvoted on the pro-
posal and the Borah amendment will be
adopted. President Harding can sign the
naval appropriations bill containing the
Objectionable clause without In any way
being committed TO issue a call for a
conference. lie would probably ignore
the amendment.
With the possible exception of Sena-
tors Reed (Mo) and Shields (Tenn) the
Democratic Senators will support the
Borah amendment. They take tho posi-
tion that in principle II is an indorse-
ment OF the Versailles treaty.
Senator Borali combats that infer
cnce by saying he has not changed one
iotn his objection TO the treaty of ver-
sailles. In fact. he attributes most of
the ills OF Europe at present to the
operation OF that treaty. He contends
his proposal IN no way would invo.ve
this nation politically. He Is bitterly
opposed to the amendments suggegsed
by Senator Watson.
"The same old fight by the same cid
crowd is being made on the amend
ment for conference TO study eco-
nomic questions which was made when
first proposed "a conference for the
Limitation Of armament he said.
every Much I'm Europe"
This talk about plunglng this ma
ton into European affairs Is absurd.
We are now very much In Europe. Our
troops on the Rhine are now performing
the Same functions desired In the pro-
posed three party treaty, guaranteeing
the territorial integlty OF Europe. II
ono of our troopers was killed by the
Germans France would declare war
on Germany and wo would be soon
involved.
"ff We arc not In Europe why have
We an observer on the Rcparatons
Commission and one at Lausenne7
while these men have no official status
they areN given the same consideration,
and when Nthey speak their views carry
the Same weight ~ ~ the Harding I'D
ministratlon were speaking"
Senator Borah Is convinced that be-
fore there IN any peace and stability
in the world this nation must help Eu-
rope solve her economic problems and
then get out" He IL convinced that
can be done without any serious COM
mitments on the part OF this nation.
senator Lodge tMass.). Republican
floor leader. takes the position that the
Borah proposal cannot be properly con.
sidercd az an amendment TO the naval
bill, contending that II Is new legisla-
ton. He has long speech prepared for
use as soon as the Senate convenes
Wednesday, explaining his position.
While he Ia not disposed TO throw cold
water on the proposal Mr.. Lodge feels
that such a conference would be use
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