New-York tribune., 1922-09-02
Harding, Encouraged by
Respite for Germany.
Ready to Confer Over
Relief as Allies Agree
Cut in Reparations
Held am Essential
Government May Modify
Russian Policy, White
House Statement Hints
BY Carter Field

nnancial and economic problems by the
United States whenever European
statesmen agree that such aid will be
effective was promised at the White
House to-day.
President Harding is greatly encour-
aged, 1T was stated by spokesman at
the executive Offices, by the toleration
manifested by the French acceptance
OF the Reparation Commission plan to
suspend the remaining payments Ger
many is scheduled to make in 1922.
The Administration has been not q
little alarmed, Cabinet officer ex-
planned after the White House had in
dicated Its position, by the fear that
France in irritation might break en-
tirely with the Reparation Commission
and go ahead on it's own.
'No Blood in Piece of Turnip''
IF you can't get blood out of a
turnip, you certainly can't get blood
out of a piece of the turnip," this Cab
met officer commented as the possible
| seizure of the Ruhr. He added the fear
that France might be more interested
in getting this particular piece of the
turnip than extracting the blood.
/ President Harding's position is that
| Europe never can be stabilized until
| the Indebtedness question, including
reparations, has been cleared up. He
believes that the temporary suspension
| of the drastic policy advocated by the
French, and opposed by Lloyd George,
will pave the way for a calm, intelli-
gent survey which may start Europe
back towards normalcy.
| 1t was after this idea had been ad-
vanced that the White House spokesman
made the statement that when Europe's
statesmen reach the stage where they
tagree that America can help to bring
! about wise settlement of Europe's
I economic problems, America will not
hold aloof, but will be prepared to CO.
| operate in whatever way seems best
Statistics Suggested AS Rule
Complication of scientific data, 1t was
said, treating the whole question on
the basis of fact rather than passion,
Y
ming of the end of Europe's troubles.
Another prerequisite toward stabili
fzation, from the standpoint of Presi-
dent Harding, is the readjustment of
| Germany's outside Indebtedness to a
| point that can be paid. This is SAID
| to be under consideration now. In
the attitude outlined, the President
substantially takes the same attitude
that Premier David Lloyd George of
| Great Britain has in dealing with the
reparations question.
| Therefore, if an international eco
fnomic, and not political, conference is
called after ali this debris has been
cleared away and it is possible to set
/ mental causes of Europe's distress and
remedies therefor, this government
] gladly will join in making it success
and putting the old world as we'll as
the entire globe on its feet.
Expect to Study Russia
| 1t was also made clear at The White
| House that this Administration has no
entrenched prejudice against approach
ing relations with Russia, when the
situation justifes it. The proposed
economic investigation which the United
| States has suggested through Ambas-
sador Houghton at Berlin probably
will be made, it was said, although
there was some humorous comment on
the proposal that a Soviet delegation
be permitted to come here.
Might Delay Recognition
Such an economic survey does not
necessarily mean that diplomatic re-
| lations with Russia are to be resumed
| in the near future. On the contrary,
the effect might be to delay recogni-
( ton. AS a result Of the American Re-
! lief Administrators activities there
| already is great deal Of information
/ available, but since the function of
| that organization was charity and not
4 collection of data it represents only
what was observed as matter of
course.
Many Americans are ready to do
business with Russia, provided the
Soviet government gives adequate
guarantees and this nation is salts
ties are able to fulfill their obligations.
On no basis except the fullest recogni-
tion of American rights would the Ad-
| ministration, in any eventuality, con-
sent to recognize the Soviets.
/ Any treaty entered into undoubtedly
also would provide that Bolshevik
propaganda was not to be carried on
| in the United States by the Russian
government. This provision is em-
bodied in the agreements reached be-
tween Great Britain and Russia, and
more recently with Canada. AS re-
suit of an exchange of notes between
| the United Kingdom and Russia, the
trade agreement Of March 16, 1921, be-
comes available to Canada. This pro-
lvides for removal of restrictions on
importation Of legal commodities and
on shipping, renewal of the exchange
of private postal and telegraph COM
munications and the suppression Of all
hostile propaganda. In addition, pro-
vision was made Immediately for re-
storing postal, telegraph and wireless
1 communications between Russia and
Canada The Canadian-Soviet agree
ment became effective July 3.
President Harding believes it is un-
gracious in this great government not
| to keep it's pledge TO Liberia that it
| would lend it $4,000, 900. Aside from
! the considerations of trade. defense
and national policy involved, he has in
| formed callers, it is matter Of having
the United States keep the faith with
/ the small black republic, that to q
greater or lesser extent has been under