Evening star., 1922-12-25
Nothing to Gain in Summon
ina Nations and Disappoint-
ing Them, He Says.
OTHER FOES CONFER
on BORAH PROPOSAL
Lodge and Watson Among Admin.
istration Leaders in
Opposition.

Lines in the coming Senate con-
test over the Borah proposal for an
international conference to solve the
economic problems of Europe and
the world are becoming more CLOSELY
drawn. Senator Reed Smoot of utah,
republican, today declared his oppo-
sition to the plan. Senator Smoot is
pointed to discuss with the foreign
nations the funding of their debts
TO the United States.
Il do not think that the conference
proposed in the amendment to the
Navy appropriation bill offered by
Senator Eorah would accomplish any
good purpose" said Senator Smoot.
I'VE know in advance what the other
nations want, and we are not IN a
position to grant It: II we called
and then when they came turned
down their requests, the situation
would not be improved. and the
United States would be placed in
false position. ! am opposed TO It.
and l do not think that the amend.
ment to the Navy bill will be adopted
Conferences between administration
leaders in the Senate over the Borah
proposal are underway. with senators
Lodge Watson and others participat-
ing, and it is known that they are
framing a plan to head off the Borah
amendment to the Navy bill If possible.
On the other hand, it is realized that
the Borah proposal has struck re-
sponsive chord in many quarters IN
this country, and that many interests
are desirous of seeing that the muddle
in Europe be Strengthened out and that
the United Sta,es do what 1t can to
help solve the problem.
Undoubtedly it will be argued that
the administration should not be ham
pered or embarrassed in any way by
congressional action at this juno
ture. but should be permitted to deal
with the European situation as 1t ap-
pears best. 1t is not the function OF
Congress, 1t will be said, to mix in the
foreign relations of the country, and
the matter should be left to the ex-
ccutive department of the govern
ment.
Foreign Interest in Congress.
But in answer to this suggestion, it
is pointed out that Congress. and par
ticularly the Senate. has not hesitat.
ed to mix in the foreign relations of
the country; that, for example, the
Senate took the first step in bringing
about the conference on limitation of
armament in Washington Further-
more, it is said that the President un-
der the Borah proposal would be free
TO call the proposed conference Or not,
as he saw fit, since the Borah amend
ment merely authorizes" and re
quests him to issue the call.
The President is left free to select
the nations which should be invited
to the conference. too.
Senator Medill Mccormick Of Illinois,
who has just returned to this country
from a visit to Europe is expected to
give to the Senate his impressions of
economic conditions abroad when the
debate on the Borah proposal gets
under way.
While arguments pro and con on the
suggested conference are being ad-
vanced by other senator's and off,
cials of the government, Senator Bo-
rah himself has issued statement
expressing confidence that more ma
ture reflection" would serve to dimin-
ish opposition to his proposal for an
economic conference. and the further
Limitation of sea and land ornaments.
The statement follows
The opposition to this conference
seems to be along the same lines as
opposition to the disarmament con-
ference when 1t was first proposed.
There was great timidity and much
reflection led to very general sup
port. I trust such will be true in
this instance.
There are many precedents for this
kind of conference. We have as a
government participated officially in
nations. more than once. We have
never hesitated to confer with refer
enoe to economic, financial or COM
1nercial matters Such conferences
most Jealous advocates Of our tradi-
tional policies as in contravention Of
them. No public man has been at
any time in our history a more pro-
policies than Col. Roosevelt. He
specifically indorsed this kind of
conference, and regarded such con-
ferences as a means of preserving the
policies of Washington and Monroe.
Deadlock ON Reparations.
For more than two years there
has been a deadlock on the question
of reparations. It has become so
serious as to threaten complete
estrangement between the leading
nations which were together in the
very verge of economic chaos. 1t
has even in the minds of men in high
official position in different countries
made another conflict imminent.
Naval and military men are now ad-
vocating greater navies and larger
ening conditions abroad.
Every foreign Office in the world.
including our own. Is now studying
the reparations question, and con-
sidering how it may be adjusted
There is no use to talk. therefore.
about not considering, or about not
dealing with it. The only legitimate
question for debate is how can we
deal with it most effectively. The
problem is here. If it is not adjusted
II will mean greater suffering in Eu-
rope, and vast loss to our producers,
and 1t may mean another war. If
the worst should come, we might be
going to Europe on another mission
than that of comforting. I repeat, the
only question is: How can we help:
What is the best method? Upon that
i have an open mind.
People Seem Exercised.
Europe owes us $1,000, ,000, 900.
Some people seem to be exercised
over the cancellation of this debt.
am far more exercised over Europe's
inability to pay. I have no fear about
the open cancellation Of this debt. But
no child now living will see it's pay
Inent IL the question of reparations is
permitted to go from bad to worse
until another war takes place.
I'VE are interested in the repara-
tions question. therefore, because we |
are interested in the payment of |
what Europe owes us. We are also |
interested in it because we want |
European markets opened to our |
farm products. Millions are hunger |
ing and dying in Europe for the |
products which are rotting on our |
farms. Shall we say that these mat
Iers do not concern us? Nothing |
concerns US more"