Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-20
Reassuring Word by
Hughes as Irrec0n-
cilables Start Sen
ate Inquiry
America Will Not Be Called
Upon to Help in Enforcing
Payment, Secretary of State
Declares-Makes it Clear No
Obligation Exists-J0hnson
Unconvinced Awaits Copy of
Agreement on Way to WASH
ingtOn -..a

Washington, Jan. 19.-The admins
tration took steps today to allay ap-
prehension as to the effect of tho
Paris reparations agreement. but sen-
ate irreconcilables on the Versailles
treaty made it clear that an inquiry
into the whole subject would be
pressed. : ,.,-
Secretary Hughes in formal state
ment issued with White House APP
prevail. declared the agreement put the
United States under no obligation, le-
gally or morally" with respect to the
enforcement of reparations payments,
and that it neither "surrenders nor
modifes any treaty right of the United
States"
While there appeared to be every de-
sire at the state department to regard
the Paris negotiations as a closed I'm
cident, Chairman Borah of the Senate
foreign relations committee, and SEN
ator johnson. Republican. Califorut.
asserted that Mr.. Hughes statement
was in direct conflict with the views
expressed by foreign statesmen. They
added that efforts for a Senate inquiry
would be continued ts'." =
Senator Johnson. who is author .of
the resolution calling for copy OF tha
agreement now en- route here 1rom
Paris, said he hoped Mr.. Hughes was
right and the foreign statesmen Were
wrong as to whether the agreement
did in fact draw the United States
into European entanglements, adding.
"Only the facts and all of the facts
will clarity the atmosphere and satisfy
our people"
Secretary Hughes said 1t was neces-
sary for the United States to take part
in the conference with the allied and
associated powers to protect it's inter
ests in PREPARATIONS, out of which
American claims are to be paid.
He also said American PARTICIPATION
in the conference did not violate the
reservation attached by the Senate to-
the treaty of Berlin, and that the
agreement itself did not provide "for
sanctions or deal with any question:
that might arise if the contemplated
payments should not be made" in
that event, he added, the United States
will be as free as it ever was to take
any course it may think advisable.
simultaneously with the issuing Of
the statement, the state the state Fl
the statement. the state department
reiterated it's denial that, in signing
the agreement. Ambassador Kellogg.
secretary of state designate. sought
to attach a reservation that tho
agreement of the protocol was not
to be regarded as committing the
United States to any particular pol
icy. 1t had been said that he had
commended for such q reservation in
the preliminary conversations which
preceded the conference.
1t is the view of administration Of
fcials that since Ambassador Kellogg
did not contend for such a reserva-
ton in the pleanary sessions, he had
become convinced that no commit
ment was involved in the agreement
and that consequently reservation
was unnecessary.
Administration leaders also let It
BE- known that they did not regard
as valid suggestions that the Paris
agreement Is in the nature of a. pact
which requires submission to the
senate. They hold that it has been
the policy that the executive deal
with all matters relating to the col
lection of claims against other ma
tons.
Mr.. Hughes statement, which was
issued after President Coolidge had
given it his approval and after he
had been advised of all the angles in
the controversy, was declared by
Senator Borah to be a positive state
ment which he hoped would be ell
reading abroad"
ut Is a very positive statement"
he said, "and is in direct conflict with
the views expressed by the minister
Of finance for France. Winston
of Great Britain, and
others. 1t will be interesting and,
trust, illuminating reading abroad.
ut Is exceedingly gratifying TO
have the secretary Of states con-
Of the transaction. can
not say more until the full document
and the full report (of the state de-
partment) reaches US for careful
study"