Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-29

w tohb DSN' &c WIZ
fare over the Borah proposal for a
world economic conference reached
dramatic turning point today when
President Harding threw the full
force of the administration against
Senator Borah's plan as contained
in an amendment to the naval ap-
uropriations bill and, in a letter read
ia the Senate, virtually asked for it's
defeat
another days general debate fol-
lowed. but action went over. Plans
we're made for a vote tomorrow, but
speak that. with forces favoring the
Borah rider reported sparring for
time in an effort at recruiting, delay
over the New Years holiday ap-
peared possible. Defeat OF the
amendment was predicted positively
BY administration leaders and con-
coded, upon the present status of the
battle. by it's champions.
The Presidents letter was ad-
dressed to Senator Lodge. of Massa-
chusetts, the Republican leader, and
said the Borah amendment would
create. false Impressions abroad as
we'll as at home, to the embarrass-
ment of what the administration al
ready was doing toward aiding
Europe. Evidently drafted with
great care after consultation with
Secretary Hughes, however, the COM
munication failed to give any details
OF the negotiations it limited were in
progress.
Neither would White House nor
State Department officials divulge
any further information on the sub
iect. Virtually the only light thrown
on the negotiations came from Sen
ator Lodge during the Senate dis
cusson, when he said that carcella-
ton Of the foreign debt was opposed
b. the president and was not in
GUIDED in the negotiations.
A suggestion from the President
in his letter that Congress free the
hands" of the Allied debt commits
sion, 80 that helpful negotiations
may be undertaken" developed
special interest in the Senate. SEN
ator Lodge said he was authorized
to state that the President meant
that the time for payment of prin-
cipal and interest of foreign debts
might be extended.
In discussions at the State De-
partmcnt. rumors of the administra-
TONS activities continued of wide
and varied form. One was Dascd
on press reports from abroad, sus-
costing possibilities Of a four-poWer
European peace pact as means or
settlement of the reparations ques-
ton. but this also failed to elicit any
comment whatever in official clrcles'
The unofficial report said that Ger
many desired the United states 10
suggest such course to the Allies
France. Great Britain. Belgium ana
Germany to join in the peace agree
ment. and possibly Italy.
While it was impossible to get any
reaction in official quarters on TINS new
phase of the European Iisce pact SUE
geston. known to have been consldcrco
first abroad more thar. u year ago. u
attracted much unofficial attention. a
possibility that it had been evolved
lGcrmary as a mc""i or meetlhG
French demands as to adequate secu.i-
ty from attack WIS suggested. oihcc
the horsepower agrecmer for dc1ens:
Of France. which would have insured
American ard British support against
any German aggression. failed wheh
rejected in - United States, II oc-
CURED 4, SOM observers that the
United states might be selected as
the logical agency for presenting g.
four-power European peace plan as an
alternative.
Another overflow holiday crowd 1oi-
lowed todays Senate debate, in when
the principal speeches v ere made by
Senator's McNary, Republican. Oregon;
France, Republican, Mary land; Helm.
Democrat, Alabama: end Caraway.
Democrat, Arkansas, in support OF the
Borah amendment. a by Senator'S
Mccormick, Republican, Illinois, in OPP
position.
otHdtoT foOTdN SOIIHI " ACPAS ~
length to President Harding's letter but
deferred an extensive reply until to-
morrow, when a half dozen senators are
10 speak on the amendment. including
IN addition 70 Mr.. Borah. Senator'S
Johnson, Watson. Indiana: Capper,
Kansas. and Moses of New Hampshire
nom the Republican side. and probably
Nenator Hitchcocl, IF Nebra ska and
other Democrats.
Administration leaders hoped to dis
pqse of the Borah and all related sub
'scts tomorrow. but the speech-making
Continued Paoa ACol. ~