The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-23
IrreconciIabIes Grow Nerv-
 ous When They See Drift Back Into World Affairs. Fear President Is Wiggling Out From Under Control
PEACE IN EUROPE WOULD
 HELP STABILIZE PRICES
Farmers and Business Men Beginning To See Vital Connection Between Amer ica and Europe. Turkish
 Oil Question Is Big Factor

WASHINGTON, April 22.-Two cir cumstances have arisen at a critical time to perplex the group which would make complete isolation for Europe their issue in the political discussion now developing as the 1924 campaign comes nearer.
 First-At the Lausanne Near East conference, resuming its sittings Monday. American interests wrapped up in the new Chester concessions in Turkey will be the center of dip- lomatic wrangle between France and Great Britain on the one hand and Turkey on the other, with the United States on the scene to defend the rights of it's citizens.
 Second-The committee on the ag- ricultural outlook, an expert body assembled by the department of az riculture, declares that it Is of vital Interest to the prosperity of Ameri- can farmers that the United States lend aid in every way possible to the settlement of the reparation and other European problems.
 Here is demonstrated the vital connection between Europe and the American business man and farmer. It is a situation which compels the attention of the administration, re- gardless of the appeals from such prologue spokesmen as Lord Rob- ert Cecil, or the warnings of frrec- oncilable senators like BorAa or Johnson. Both circumstances give point to the renewed discussion of international questions. which is worrying irreconcilables.
 
 How far the United States will become involved in the quarrel over the rich oil deposits in Asia Minor will develop as the Lausanne con- ference progresses. France chal- lenges the right of Turkey to make Goethals syndicate. Britain chal- lenges the right of Turkey to deed the oil of Mosul to the Americans while she has a mandate over this territory. The American government has not officially approved the Ches- ter concession. but it is familiar with it's general nature. and if the final arrangements contain no new objec- tionable features the government will give its full approval.
 Richard Washburn Child. Ameri- can ambassador to Italy. and Joseph will represent the United States as observers at the Lausanne confer ence. In defending the Chester con- sessions against the conflicting claims of France and Great Britain the state department will first call for a complete presentation of the facts and documents In the case. If these disclose a real conflict. arbi- tration by an impartial tribunal will be proposed: but. however the tech nical procedure may develop, the two European powers are already showing their displeasure that Tur- key should ratify the American con- cession just In advance of the re- sumption of the Lausanne meeting, so the United States is unable to escape being drawn in.
 Affect. Wheat Prices.
 While American business interests thus burden the government ith responsibilities abroad. the we'll being of American agriculture also the expert committee be correct: Although only small proportion of the American wheat crop is mar keted abroad, it is the all-lmportant decisive fraction which fixes the price of the domestic crop. The ex- able factors at wcrk--first, the pro Gressive piling up of debts on the continent of Europe. with it's effect upon exchange, currency ana busl- ness, and second, the Ruhr situation. Furthermore. as Europe begins to produce grain, her wheat offers se- Verer competition for the American grown crop.
 "The only possibility for an inn portant increase in purchasing power lies in the ability of Europe to ex- pand her manufactured exports, the committee says.
 The irreconcilables have noted with uneasiness the revival of agi- tation for membership in the League of Nations and the administrations s attempt to join the world court. They feel that Harding is wriggling out of their grasp. But the truth is that Harding has found it impossi- ble to cut himself free from Europe: He wants to join the international that tribunal. but to demonstrate to his own country as we'll as to the world that he is eager to cooperate with other nations so far as he can without endangering the integrity of the United States.