Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-04
Closely Watching
Continued from Pace Onel

posal by Senator Robinson, Demo-
craL Arkansas. to authorize Ameri-
can representation on the repara-
lions commission.
Everywhere there was ample evil
dence that every move made in the
Paris conference was watched from
Washington with a deep realization
that what is said and done there
may weigh tremendously in deter
mining the future policy of the
American government. Outwardly
there was a show of confidence that
the threatened break between Great
Britain and France would somehow
be avoided, but inwardly the govern
ment appeared to be asking itself
again the questions propounded by
Secretary Hughes in his speech at
New Haven:
''How can the United States help
In this matter? If statesmen
cannot agree, and such an alterna-
tive is faced, what can be done? Is
there not another way out?"
What may be the precise role of
Colonel Harvey in the present eau
tious search for a proper avenue of
American helpfulness, remained an
unanswered question. If he brought
any suggested plan or any new in
timation Of attitude from any for
eign government, it was not re-
vealed. II he received from Presi-
Diet Harding, or Secretary Hughes
any new proposal to take abroad on
his return to his post, that also was
obscured completely behind the
cloak of silence officials have thrown
over their opinions and intentions
toward Europe.
How long Colonel Harvey will re-
main in Washington seems likely to
be determined by the course that may
be taken by events abroad. He said
today that it depended on when he got
his Sailing orders" from the state de-
partment.
There was a general impression
however, that his presence was desired
while the council Of premiers is pass
ing through it's most critical stages.
so that he can give to his government
the benefit Of his personal background
Of Information in determining what
steps, if any, it is desirable to take.
There was no indication tonight
that any step at all had been decided
On, or that the situation with regard
to an extension of American aid had
advanced in any way since Secretary
speech the suggestion that commits
sion of financial authorities, including
Americans, inquire into Germany's
ability TO pay.
1t seemed likely tonight that another
attempt to draw the whole policy of
the government into the open would
be made in the Senate during debate on
the resolution introduced by Senator
Robinson which would authorize the
president to appoint official American
representatives to the reparationS
commission to aid in adjustment of
the reparations tangle there. Senator
Robinson declared he not only would
ask for prompt action on the proposal.
but would request the foreign relations
committee to question some of the
American observers now serving
with the commission and to invite the
state department to lay on the table
all Of it's reports and correspondence
bearing on the reparations problem.
1t is certain that such a move will
meet with stubborn opposition, and
that if the resolution ever is passed it
will be after another stormy foreign
relations debate on the Senate floor.
Senator Robinson is expected to
speak in the Senate tomorrow in sup
port of his resolution, but it appeared
uncertain tonight whether a general
debate would develop until the foreign
relations committee had made it's re-
port on the subject. The Arkansas SEN
ator indicated, however, that he was
not prepared to let the question dror
until he had satisfied himself whether
a majority of the Senate does not IA
Vor full American participation in the
commission.