Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-23
GLOOMY REPORT
CONTINUED from PAGE One)

ator Harrison. Democrat, MISSISSIPPI
pi, as the central figures.
Half a dozen other senators par
ticipated and there was both plainly
spoken criticism and vigorous de-
Tense of the American ambassador
to the court of st. James.
At one point Senator Glass, Demo-
crat, Virginia, lightened the weighty
discussion by demanding that there
be mo secret agreements among
senators. He referred to brief
whispered conference between Sen
ator Moses, Republican. New Hamp-
shire. and Senator Borah during a
colloquy between the Idaho and Vir-
GINA senators.
Senator Borah had made a point
of secret agreements" among the
European powers at the time of the
Locarno public agreement and de-
clared that these were responsible N
large measure for present conditions
in Europe.
The chairman of the foreign rela-
tons committee gave it as his opin-
ion that when Brazil "defied" the
other nations and blocked Ger
many's entry into the council OF the
league of nations she had silent sup
port from the great powers.
Senator Glass said Mr.. Borah was
getting into 1.-The field OF conjecture
and the latter retorted that 1t was
mot the field of conjecture, but the
field of common sense
Interrupting the discussion, Sem
ator johnson. Republican, Callfor-
mia. declared the American people
had a right to know the facts about
what is transpiring in Europe ana
Senator Borah agreed with him.
ION what theory are we entitled
to know the facts?" then demanded
Senator Glass. what right has
Ambassador Houghton to be offering
suggestions to other governments?
Senator Borah replied that the
United States was asked to join In
a world disarmament conference
and that it had a right to get the
facts, for they must have a large
bearing on the possibilities of dis
armament.
Senator Harrison opened up the
whole subject by charging Ambassa-
dor Houghton with starting "a subtle
propaganda" here at home ito tear
down the work other men are try
ing to do" Hhe said he referred
to the action of the ambassador in
calling newspaper correspondents
into the state department and max
ing a frank statement to them about
the European situation. Reports OF
such an interview have been spread
far and wide, have caused much
comment abroad and have led the
state department to declare in a
formal statement that Mr.. Houghton
had not opened his mind about Eu-
rope to 'any unofficial person." Sem
ator Harrison did not attempt to ex-
plain the incident entirely. but he
limited that his name would not be
connected with them.
Then, extending his attack to
President Coolidge and Secretary
Kellogg, the Mississippi senator sug"
gested there must have been some
connivance between careful Cal"
nervous Nelly" and Gloomy Gus"
This aroused Senator Fess, Re-
publican, Ohio, who lampooned Sem
ator Harrison for criticizing the
President. Senator Tess conceded
he had no information whether AM
bassador Houghton gave a confiden-
tial interview to the correspondents,
but added that he did not depend
upon the press LOT MS lHIOTIndtloH.
Senator Borah told the senate that
from the brief interview he had
with Ambassador Houghton, the
facts as published did not differ
from the picture as it has been given
by the press of London, France and
the United States.
There Is no doubt as to the Sc
robustness of the situation as present.
ed by Ambassador Houghton," SEN
ator Borah said. II doubt not at all
that 1t was stated correctly. The
President and the secretary of state
had a right to know the facts.
wish the American people could
have them, and without any trim
mingS."