The Washington times., 1922-12-27
Harding Not to Call
Farley Even if Plan
of Borah is Adopted
Nv GEORGE r. HOLMES,

International News Service.
Frances psrsmptOry refusal to
consider entering into . four-power
treaty. with Great Britain. Italy
and Germany. designed to keep the
peace of Europe and preserve
existing boundaries for thirty years,
aef, ,nitely ends the project, In the
Sr,nion Of Administrator officials
who have been In close touch with
the matter.
The proposal originated with Ger.
many and. at her request. the
A american Government merely
undertook to lay Il before the
French government In n purely in
formal way. for the reason that
Germany herself "is making no
proposals 10 France at this time
as one official expressed 1t today.
The United States had no In
terest In the matter other than
being helpful In attempting to find
a solution for the present critical
state Of European affairs.
Unofficial Clearing House.
OF more significance, however.
than Frances summary rundown
of the proposed treaty 10 the in
creasingiy apparent fact that the
United States Government today
is acting as an unofficial clearing
house" for susgestions for Eu.
ropean relief.
Twice now within the past three
weeks the German government has
approached the United States with
suggestions ~ to how to relieve the
critical reparations situation abroad,
each time with . request that the
United States use its good offices In
presenting the suGEestions to Paris
and London.
The first suggestion was for the
formation OF an international com.
mission of economic experts to sur.
vey the whole repsrations agreement
and fix . sum commensurate with
Germany's ability to pay, The Sec
ond dealt with the four-power pact
which France has Just turned down.
Refuses to BE Sponsor.
In each case, the American Gov,
ernment has declined to sponsor the
suggestions, but has consented to
present them abroad in an entirely
informal manner. without any con-
realment Of the fact they were Of
German origin. Both suggestions
have met with a summary turn,
down by the French.
This action on the part OF the
American Government 10 entirely
consistent with the policy Of Presi.
dent Harding and Secretary Of
State Hughes OF exploring every
revenue Of helpfulness' in the pres
ent critical state Of affairs abroad,
II was stated here today. This Gov.
ernment has committed itself to no
policy with regard to the repara.
tions controversy, other than the
extension Of its good offices in try
ing to find a basis of adjustment
from q purely atsintersstsd stand
point.
At every turn Of the delicate
negotiations and discussions now in
progress the Administration has en-.
deavored to impress upon Europe
it's neutrality" and It's noncom-
mitment to any particular policy.
Enbarrssscd ~ Pariey.
1t Is largely for this reason that
President Harding and Secretary of
State Hughes are staunchly opposed
to the Borah proposal for summon.
ing an economic conference to deal
with the existing state Of affairs.
They fear that the Senate's action
In requesting President Harding to
call a conference would be mis-
construed" abroad. ana embarrass
this Government IN IT'S efforts to
arrive at an adjustment Of matters
that would be mutually satisfac.
tory.
President Harding conferred with
Administration leaders In Congress
this forenoon over the Borah pro-
posal, summoning Senator Curtis,
Republican whip Of the Senate, ana
House Leader Mondell to the White
House for conferences.
Congressman Mondell said on leav-
ing the White House 1t was "the
limit Of absurdity" for Congress at
this time to "embarrass the Pfesi.
dent" by passing the Borsh amend.
mept,
We can't plunge into affairs
abroad without being invited In"
said Mondell.
Administration leaders sxpressed
the opinion that President Hsrding
will not call an International con.
ference At THE fims. rs0rdlsss Of
whether the Box Nh Amendment "
psssed or not.