New-York tribune., 1922-12-28
Tide Turns as President
Tells Leaders II Is Pre-.
mature and Embarrasses
His Negotiations Abroad
Vain, Useless, Says
Lodge in Debate
Admits Army Is 'Perilous-
Iy Weak; Idaho Senator
Fears War Inside Year
20. rA. rrlbsn.,. wasAlAgtoa Bursag

Fyor, n. Trsbunss WashlA0ton Bwsau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-Sena-
tor Borah's amendment to the naval
bill, calling for an international eco
nomic and disarmament conferences,
faces defeat. According 10 the views
Of Senate Republican leaders 20
night, the plan Of the Senator from
Idaho has been blocked as the result
Of to-day's developments.
Senators also were advised def
nitely that President Harding would
come out in a letter against the
Borah amendment.
The tide turned against the amend
ment IN the Senate when II becamt
known that Senator'S Curtis and
Moses had conferred with the Presi-
dent to-day and that the President
had advised them he would write .
letter opposing the BOrah PROPOSE
ton.
Holds Il Premature
The President will take the position
the amendment Is premature and that
II would cmbarrass the Administration
In What Il IA seeking 10 do in the In
ternational situation. II Is expected
the letter will be addressed 10 Senator
Lodge, Republican leader Of the SEN
ate, and chairman Of the Foreign Re-
lations Committee.
Senator Curtis, Republican whip,
canvasaod the situation In the Senate
and came TO the conclusion that tho
amendment would not get more than
ak Republican votes, those OF borah,
Brookhart, McNary, Ladd, Capper and
Nofbcck. All these are members OF
the farm bloc. Senator'S Reed and
Shields, Of the Democratic side, and
perhaps other Democrats will vote
against the amendment.
Some other Republicans were In
clined 10 support the amendment yes
terday, but the knowledge that the
Administration Is squarely against tho
Borah plan has weakened H.
Borah 20 Consider HardinS's Wishes
Senator Borah himself said on the
floor to-day that n advised the amend
ment would hamper or embarrass the
Executive he would give due considera-
tion 20 that fact
Secretary Of State Hughes had long
conference with the President this
afternoon, and II was supposed the
Borah amendment was considered.
Administration leaders and irreeon-
cilables we're active In Senate circles
to-day trying 10 muster forces % head
of the Borah proposal Senator Lodge
called In a large number Of Republi-
can Senators and they conferred In bis
once. II was decided 20 raiso q point
Of order agninst the amendment on
the ground that Il was new legislation
proposed on the naval bill and was
not In order and could not be con-
sidcred except By suspension Of the
rules on a two-third vote.
Senator Poindexter, IN charge Of the
bill, was selected 20 make the point
Of order. In the course Of the debate
to-day, Senator Lodge gave notice that
a point Of order would be pressed. IL
is assumed Vice-President Coolidge
will hold he point we'll taken. In that
event there will be an appeal from
the ruling Of the chair, which will be
decided By majority vote. This may
be the first test Of strength on the
amendment
Debated for -Four Hours
The Senate debated the Borah
amendment most Of the afternoon. The
amendment was not pressed 10 a vote.
as Senator Borah said several Sena-
tors desired 10 speak Moreover, Ad-
ministration leaders we're willing 70
await the letter Of the President For
nearly four hours the discussion went
on, and then detailed consideration Of
the naval bill was taken up. Mean
time. the subsidy bill Is shunted 70
ons side.
Senator Lodge led the discussion IN
opposition 70 the amendment. Sene-
tor Borah spoke az length In favor Of
II. Senators Lenroot, Williams, Reed,
Watson, Brandegoe and others got into
the debate. The galleries were allied
with spectators.
Senator Lodge opposed the amend
ment on the ground an arms limita.
tion conference would be fruitless and
that an economic conference shculd
not be requested by the Senate unless
the bounds Of such conference had
been most carefully considered and
marked cut.
Senator Borah made much Of the
distressing conditions abroad. foresar
the danger OF another world war, and
emphasized the importance 70 the
American people Of settling European
economic conditions
Wants Troops Brought Home
In the course Of the discussion Sem
ator Borah, who took the position the
United States already was actively par
tlcipatlng IN the Affairs Of Europe both.
"A 10 the Foparation commission and
az 10 American troops on the Kline
said Ne believed those troops should
be brought home. Senator Reed offered
an amendment 70 the Borah proposal
providing for recall OF the troops. nj.
Borah said that IN 50 far as he was
capable Of doing IL, he would accept
the amendment. But be predicted the
amendment looking TO troop recall
would not be adopted,
Senator Lodge took the floor short
iy after soon and spoke more than
an hour.
'aTho provision Of the House and the
amendment Of the Senator from Idaho"
said Senator Lodge. "open questions
/ Of such grave Importance that DO
not feel willing 70 allow the matter
/ 10 pass without comment"
he stressed the point that the con-