Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-12-30
BORAH AWAITS
DEVELOPN
ON CONF FERENCE
WithholdS His Amendment
Providing for Calling OF
Economic Confab on Eu-
ropean Situation

UpGdil SItudklUiI
Washington. Dec. 29.--The fight
over the proposal of Senator Borah
that President Harding call an eco
nomic conference. came to q SEN
sational climax in the senate today
when the Idaho senator announced
that he would withhold his pro-
posed amendment to the naval APP
preparation hill on administration
assurances given by Senator Wat
syu of Indiana that the president
already was sounding out the situa-
tlon in q way which might lead to
SOME movement which would aid
the adjustment of conditions pre-
vailing in Europe.
Senator Borah made known his
decision during the debate after
Senator Watson, one of the admin
istration spokesmen who was In
strumental in lining up the admin
istration forces in opposition to the
proposal, appealed to the Idaho
senator not to press his proposed
resolution for substantially the
same reasons outlined in President
lIarding's letter yesterday.
Senator Watson disclosed that
administration "feelers" had been
made as to European policy and
referred to the statement in Presi-
dent Harding's letter that II was
necessary first to ascertain whether
overtures for a conference would
be welcome"
"And ] go so far as to say" said
the Indiana senator, that that has
been done and that the things that
have been undertaken may. II sue
cessfully continued, go so far as to
result in the holding Of n confer
ence in the future"
Senator Watson then suggested
that Senator Borah withhold his
amendment on the ground that the
administrations course would be
embarrassed.
Senator Borah asked whether
Tho administration negotiations
were for the purpose OF calling
"this conference"
"FceIers" Put Out
mo, not negotiations Senator
Watson replied. what 1 said was
that feelers' had been put out;
that the foreign nations were be-
ing sounded with a view to finding
out whether the United States NAV
be helpful. and that, in NV opin-
ion. II might lead to q conference;
that l have no authority whatever
10 say tha;. speak purely for
myself as an individual and give
my personal views. representing
the opinions OF nobody in author
ity. At the same time / am not en-
tirely ignorant of the fact that
these feelers have been put out
just as the president in his letter
states"
Senator Watson added that the |
situation was not one Of "negotia- I
tions," but of diplomatic "conver- !
eations." Senator Borah. pressing
9or more definite information. ask |.
ed if the administration course
might ultimately lead TO a con- |
ference covering the question of
economic conditions"
"Or. to some gathering for the
purpose of determining the prob |
lem" Senator Watson replied.
"But the senator does not know
that the feelers have been put
OUT" Senator lorah pressed.
THAT is my understanding, !
Senator Watson replied.
"And that it has for its ultimate |
tions which now prevail in Eu-
rope?"
1.-THE aiding of the adjustment"
said Senator Watson, adding that |
feelers have been put out for the !
last two or three months for the |
purpose OF aseertaining the situa-
Iion and just how far We could |
co. He declared, however, that |
he was not advised that they look !
ed to the conference proposed by |
Mr.. Borah, and added that he did T.
not know to what length the ad-
lninistration had gone.
BOrah Amendment "HarmfuT
The administration proposition
was emphasized by Senators Lodge
and Mccormick of Illinois. The
former declared that American
ambassadors and ministers for
months had been inquiring as to
the possibility of American action
and contended that Senator Bor-
abs amendment, if adopted, would
he harmful" to the administra-
lions efforts. Senator Mccormick
referred to negotiations for the
Brussels conference, but remained
silent when Senator Borah pressed
for information as to whether the
United States proposed to partici-
pate in that conference.
"In view of the statement made
by the senator from Illinois (Mr.
McCormick). and the statement
made by the senator from Indiana
(Mr. watson. and the statement
made by the senator from Massa-
phusetts (Mr. Lodge), am per-
fectly willing to decline to offer
the amendment" said Senator
l3orah, who soon thereafter picked |
up his papers and left the cham
Der.
Harding Approves Move
At the White House it was said /
the president regarded Senator
Borah's action as "a wise move" !
High officials also said that the |
president was not contemplating |
The calling of a general economic |
conference, but at present pro-
posed American participation in |
nm economic conference on rep |
arations. Adjustment of this and !
Of the allied debts question, the |
president was said to feel, are neC- |
essary before the administration .
ran proceed with further steps In |
Europe's behalf.
Senator Borah said privately he /
was prepared to offer his amend- .
lnent to some later bill II the ne
cessity should arise, but his action
today was considered as finally |
disroe'ne NJ the amendment.
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