Evening star., 1922-04-02
WANTS U. S. TO JOIN
PREPARATIONS BODY
President Seeks Congress-
Approval Of Official Mem-
ber. on Commission.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Congressional leaders have been
asked to give consideration to Presi-
dent Harding's desire to have the
United States represented officially on
the rsparations commission as soon
as possible.
The treaties negotiated at the arms
conference are all out Of the way
now, and the executive is waiting for
Congress to authorize him to appoint
an American member Of the all
powerful commission which regu-
lates the flow Of commerce to and
from Germany and the payments of
reparatfons. The allied governments
are acknowledging, for instance, the
Justice Of the American claim for
$24l 100000 for the expenses of the
United States army Of occupation on
the Rhine. but none is coming for
ward with any proposal as to how
America shall be reimbursed. The
feeling here is that if the United
states had had vote on the repara-
t1onS commission it's veto would have
been exercised against any payments
which did not include the American
claim.
Leaders in Congress differ as to
the kind Of authority to be given the
Presidents representative on the
reparations commission. There are
three schools of thought-those who
oelieve America should remain aloof
ana SIMPLY continue to have its affairs
looked after by unofficial observers,
those who think che American repre-
sentative's powers shall be sharply
defined and limited and those who
believe the United States should take
IT'S place on an equality with the
other nations and exercise all powers
10 which the United States,is entitled.
Observer II Useless.
Tho Department OF State feels that
the present system Of unofficial OBJ
servers is out Of the question, that It
is Of doubtful legality and that Amer
lea Is seriously restricted by such a
method Of conducting her legitimate
business abroad. AS for any fear
that the American member may in
volve the United States in foreign
commitments. which will be entang-
ing. the answer Is made that an
American on tho reparations com
mission will be subject to the same
limitations OF the American constitute
tlon as any of1cer or diplomat of the
executive branch Of the United States
government II ,~,1
government without the express CON
sent OF the President. who in turn is
limited by the constitution as to how
Iar ne can go. committing the sAmeri-
can government to a course of action.
1t is unlikely, however, that MANY
members of Congress who feel deeniy
on the subject of non-involvement In
European affairs will be satisfied un-
less specific restraint upon the au-
thorlty OF the American members of
INTO the statute. In actual practice
this Limitation will mean very little
and probably will not be seriously ap-
posed by the executive. This is be-
cause q man like r. w. Boyden. unof-
ncial observer at the repara lions com
mission meetings, Is too discreet to do
anything beyond the instructions of the
Department of State. Nor is the Prest-
dent or Secretary Of State likely to
appoint a man who will take radi-
without consulting. the WASHINGTON
government
Hands Tied Completely.
Tho whole troubses at present is tha,
Americas unofficial observer must listen
and watch and say nothing. He NAV
have been appraised Of the Washington
governments policy and be fully
equipped to express the government
view. but technically he is absent from
the meeting-he is admitted only bv
courtesy. 1t is to change that status
and enable the American representative
to speak out with the full influence or
tne United States government that the
movement for official participation has
arisen. : =
Senator Lodge. chairman of the Sen.
ate foreign relations committee. and
Representative Porter of Pennsylvan mia.
chairman OF the House foreign affairs
committee. are expected soon to intro
duce the necessary resolution authoriz-
ing the President to appoint an Ameri-
can representative on the reparatious
commission.
It was thought for a time that the
initiative rested with the executive
and that all he needed to do was to
nominate a man and Congress would
confirm the nomination But the res
ervation to the Berlin separate treaty
ratified by the Senate specifically said
that no appointment was to be made
without the consent of Congress"
This means the advance approval of
both Senate and House by an enabling
law first and q nomination thereafter
In the regular way, 1t is considered
certain that r. w. .Boyden, who was
first appointed unofficial observer nm
der the Wilson administration, will
be continued as official representative
on the commission as he Is thoroughly
familiar with what has gone before
and has followed the Instructions of
President Harding and Secretary
Hughes with minute care.