The Washington times., 1922-12-23
JOHNSON WILL
FIGHT b0RAH /
PLAN
la Toilette and other Old
-;irrsconcilables" oppo,s
/ New Conferences.
~ J. BART CAMPBELL.
Intsenstienal News sesvSos.


Senator Borahs proposal that
President Harding cali an interna.
tional economic conference today
spit wide open the old Senate
gronp OF -'irreconcilables" which
fought the League Of Nations tooth
and. nail. N
Senators johnson of California
ana La Toilette of Wisconsin were
among the old ''die hards" with
whom the Idaho Senator was con-
sptctously identified In the long
battle against the Versailles treaty
who declared they were unalterab,y
opposed to the United States sitting
down with Europe at the same
conference table.
Both indicated they would have
much to say on the subject when
debate on the pending navy supply
bill kis resumed In the Senate after
the Christmas holidays.
Fears New Competition.
Senator Poindexter Of Washing
ton. acting chairman Of the Senate
Naval Affairs COMMITTEES. and an.
other OF the former ''irreconcil.
ahles," took sharp issue with Borah
az to the necessity for the United
States taking the initiative toward
persuading Europe to set its house
In order.
I'VE had one so-called disarma-
ment conference" said Poindexter.
Since II was agreed to limit battle
ship construction--a pact France
has yet to ratify-maritime nations
have discovered other lines Of naval
competition. We hear Great Brit
~ Svzb - 80.
There have been conferences and
controversies without end in an at
tempt to settle the problem Of Ger
man reparations. which was created
like some Frankenstein at Yer
sailles. cannot see what good
would come from our sitting down
at q conference with European ma
lions which themselves have failed
to agree whenever they have held a
conference of their own"
Senators Lodge of Massachusetts,
and Brandegee of Connecticut were
two others "irreconcilably" opposed
to the Versailles treaty who were
unwilling to accept Borah's proposal
AZ an amendment to the navy bill
unless certain reservations were
attached to 1t.
Borah Almost Alone.
q OF all the old "irreconcilables."
Borah found himself virtually alone.
although he disclaimed the idea he
had changed his attitude regarding
''entangilng alliances" or the keep
put-of-Europe" doctrine he has fire.
Quently enunciated In the Senate.
On the other hand. a number Of
the Republican mild reservation
ists'' In the League of Nations fight,
like Senator Capper OF Kansas. were.
strongly inclined to support tBorah's
proposal, while Senator Harrfsgr Of
Mississippi was among the, pro-
League Democrats who said they.
were willing to accept any susees-
ton which offered hope Of the Ad.
ministration helping to bring order
out OF chaos in Europe"
Senator King Of Utah was ready
to urge upon the Senate that Borah's
proposal pointed the way to partici-
patton. at last, Of the United States
in the League Of Nations, and an
old-time League debate was promised
once the Senate got down to the
question Of writing it into the navy
bill. =.
Despite the opposition of most of
the old irreconcilables," some of
those supporting Borah's proposal
predicted II would have good
chance" Of being adopted. with
some notifications" and the Presi-
dent thereby given an opportunity
TO consider II.