New Britain herald., 1922-12-28
Simply Explains That Pro- posal Would Embarrass Him In Negotiations AL ready Under Way
Likewise Says This Country Cannot Presume to Die. tate to Europe Concern- ing Preparations Settle ments.

Washington, Dec. 2s.-President
 Harding asked the senate today not
 to adopt Senator Borah's proposal for a new international economic confer ence, saying in a letter to Republican
 Leader Lodge that formal congress sional action on the subject now
 would embarrass him in negotiations he already is conducting looking to such q conference.
 The presidents letter was sent to Senator Lodge for presentation dur ing the senate's second day of de- bate on the Borah proposal which is embodied in an amendment to the naval appropriation bill.
 Seeks To Block Action.
 The president acted directly to block senate action aff}f he had con- suited with Secretary sss and af- ter Senator Lodge hss 8sted the White House and kssd on the progress made in the deteffhsined fight already being waged against the Bor- iah amendment by administration 1 leaders in the senate. wants To Be Helpful. The letter states that while the sen- ate might properly advise in regard to international negotiations" it's ac- ton on the BoraI plan might give false impressions to European pow CTS The administration, the presi- dent said, was trying to be helpful" in the European situation. which had erixr rl, thoughtful consideration for many mcnths.'
 Cannot Dictate. Without disclosing details of what he is doing, he president suggested .hHfs si1gress nts@at hs helpful by free pg the haads of 1he a.iied debt commission. fife selsc4 deciared that the separations was the foundation of European difficulties and that this na- tion cannot assume to say to one na- ton what is shall pay in separations nor to another what it shall accept" No Chance of Disarmament.
 As to further armament limitation negotiations, also provided for in the Borah plan, President Harding warn- ed against what might be "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"
 Can't Bulletin Details | Just what steps already taken or in contemplation by the administra- tion may be- however, the president did not reveal. He said members of congress could learn if they inquire in the proper way, but that state depart ment communications on so delicate a subject obviously could not be bull letined from day to day"
 The views of the president were set forth in the letter. Senator Lodge ate convened.
 Borah Takes Notes
 Senator Borah noted on pad of paper the high spots of the communi- cation and smiled broadly at the presidents declaration that the pro- posed amendment would in effect give the impression that the executive branch of the government was not fully alive" to the present world sit- nation.
 The presidents letter follows in part:
 Text of Letter. My Dear Senator Lodge:
 Replying to your inquiry relative to the proposed amendment to the pending naval bill, authorizing and requesting the president to call an economic conference to deal with the countries of Europe, write to say that l know of no prohibition against such an expression on the part of congress. but I do frankly question the desirabiity of such an l think it is undesirable because of false impressions which nay be conveyed thereby.
 "On the face of things it is equiv- llent to saying that the executive branch of the government which is ,harged with the conduct of foreign is not fully alive to a world which is of deep concern to he United States.
 'As a matter of fact the European ituation has been given most thor ,ugh and thoughtful consideration or many months. Without question: ng the good faith of the proposal,-I lm very sure it would have been nore seemly, and the action of the congress could be taken much more nteligently if proper inquiry had ,ecn made of the state department elative to the situation in which we re trying to he helpful
 Tn ratifying the treaty of peace rith Germany. the senate made q eservation that the United States hould not be represented on the eparations commission without con- ent of the congress and no such con ent has been given. Moreover. in reating the world war debt funding that body was restricted , explicit terms for rates of interest nd ultimate time of payment If ongress really means to facilitate the
 (Continued on Twelfth Paga).