Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-29
Administration Out
CONTINUED from Page ons)

plans made a vote doubtful, although
possible. Senator Borah virtually con-
coded, during the debate. that the point
of order that the amendment is not
germane to the House naval armament
conference provision would be sus-
tanned.
Senator Borah planned, IL defeated,
to continue his fight by introduction
of his proposal as separate resolu-
ton which, however. would have to
run the fire of a committee and the
Senate With it's congested program
prior to the end of Congl css in March.
The Presidents letter follows:
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
conditions in the war. torn nations
OF Europe, l write to say that l know
of no prohibition against such an eX-
preston on the part of Congress. but
l do frankly question the desirability
Of such an expression. ! think 1t is
undesirable because of false impress
sions which may be conveyed there
by to Europe and even more unde-
SRA BILE because of the wrong impress
sion it conveys to our own people.
ION the face of things 1t Is equiv
alent to saying that the executive
branch Of the government which is
charged with the conduct of foreign
relations is not fully alive to world
situation which is of deep concern to
the United States.
LAS a matter of fact the Euro
pean situation has been given most
thorough and thoughtful considera-
ton for many months. Without
questioning the good faith of the
proposal, / am very sure ii would
have been more secmly, and the &C
ton of the Congress could be taken
much more intelligently if proper
inquiry had bccn made of the State
Department relative to he situation
in which we are trying to be help
full.
"Of necessity the communications
of the State Department relative to
delicate matters among nations can
not be bulletined from day to day
but the situation is never withheld
from members of Congress VINO
choose to inquire for confidential in
formation in spirit of cooperation.
Such inquiry would have revealed
the futility of any conference call
until it is understood that such a
conference would be welcomed by
the nations concerned. within the
limits of discussion of which the ex-
pressed will of Congress compels this
government to impose.
in ratifying the treaty of peace
with Germany. the Senate made a res
ervation that t United States should
not be represented on tbe rcparations
commission without consent of the
Congress, and no such consent has been
given. Moreover, in creating the
World-War debt-funding commission,
that body was restricted to explicit
terms for rates of interest and ulti-
mate payment. If Congress really
means to facilitate the task of the
government in dealing with the Euro
pcan situation, the first practical step
would be to free the handn of the COM
mission so that helpful negotiations
pay be undertaken.
1T is quite generally accepted that
the adjustment of the question of rem
arations must underlic any economic
rehabilitation of Europe, and repara-
tons cannot be settled withc''' the con-
Sc. OF governments concerned The
United States cannot assume to say to
one nation what 1t shall pay in ,rcpa-
rattons. nor to -ncthcr nstion what it
shall accept.
In discua lions with foreign govern
mcnts. the previous administratitn
and the present administration have
INSISTED that -, question of Europear
debts to the United States is distinct
ana apart from the queation OF repsra.
tions' but European nations hold a con-
tfary view, and it is wholly inconsis-
tent 10 lite conference for the con-
Hiaeration. or questions liz dealing with
"hich the government Is denied ali
authority by act Of Congress-.
so far as the Limitation Of land
ornaments is concerned, there seems
10 De at this time no more PROMISING
prospect OF accomplishment than
when the conference was held in
Washington a year ago. Here apain
venture to warn the Senate against
the suggestion TO our own people or
a gesture Of promise to the world
which cannot be fulfilled until the
nations directly concerned expre..
their readiness to coopara4a a..
an end
with respect to a limitation q,
AUXILIARY types of naval craft. which
are not limited by the present naval
treaty. It is to be said that such an
agreement Is much to be desired
whenever practicable. but we NAV
reasonably postpone our further
beavers along that line until The
asreements made at the Washington
conference secure the ANAL sanction
OF all governments concerned.
Very truly yours.
w A