WORLD PROBLEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 22

WORLD PROBLEMS

AN ECONOMIC CONFERENCE. WASHINGTON, January 30. In the face of the avowed opposition of the Administration, Senator Borah introduced a resolution in the Senate urging President Harding to invite all the nations concerned in an economic conference to attempt a settlement of reparations and kindred problems. Senator Borah’s resolution is practically identical with that which he presented as ail amendment to the Naval Appropriation Bill, but which he withdrew when the Administration assured him that America’s foreign policy was being outlined, which the resolution might embarrass. In connection with Senator Borah’s resolution it is learned at White House that President Harding still considers that a world economic conference at this time is impracticable. February 2. Senator Capper, leader of the Farm bloc, speaking in the Senate in support of Senator Borah’s nroposal for an econo-, mic conference, declared: ‘The sooner we act, the bettei While we are standing on one foot Europe is crumbling. The agricultural legislation now being passed by Congress will be of little help to the American farmers if Europe enters upon an economic dissolution which it seems she must do.” LASTING PEACE WANTED. LONDON, February 7 2. Three hundred branches of the Independent labour Party in England are organising public meetings for the week-end advocating the repudiation of the Versailles Treaty, the withdrawal of Allied troops from all the occupied areas, and the summoning of a world conference to establish a lasting and democratic peace in Europe and the Near East. AMERICA'S FOREIGN RELATIONS. WASHINGTON, February 3. There was another sharp skirmish in the Senate to-day, when the American Foreign Relations Committee had a heated discussion. Senator King said if the United States had signed the Treaty of Versailles she would have been in a position to-day to help in the European crisis. Senator Borah took issue, declaring that the League of Nations -was helpless to interfere in the Ruhr situation. Senator Caraway attacked Senator Borah’s stand, and Senator Norrie sided with Senator King. Senator Caraway praised England’s action in ratifying the treaty 7, and thus saving Europe from another war. The debate then became general, the Democrats favouring the Versailles Treaty, and the Republicans attacking it. Senator King ended with a declaration that he intended to press his resolution for further argument by tbe Limitations Conference. REMARKABLE PROGRESS IN AUSTRIA. PARIS, February 1. The successful progress in the reconstruction of Austria under the auspices of the League of Nations was emphasised by all the speakers at the meeting of the Council of the League. The Earl of Balfour described the League’s work in this regard as the greatest constructive effort so far made to extricate Europe from economic chaos. He appealed to investors to subscribe to an Austrian loan. Hollowing an appeal by the Austrian Chancellor, the Italian, French, and Czecho-Slovakian representatives announced their willingness to conclude commercial treaties with Austria. FRUGALITY AND THRUT NECES SARY. WASHINGTON, January 29. Senator M‘Cormick, an influential Administration Senator, recently returned from an investigation in Europe. Speaking in the Senate, he said that an economic conference would not restore Europe and the world to normal. He declared that Europe must learn the frugality and thrift which characterises the American national finance.

NAVAL ARMAMENTS.

WASHINGTON, February 1. The State Department has issued a statement to the effect that the United States Government looks with favour on the League of Nations Council’s suggestion that a conference of Powers which did not take part in the Washington Arms Conference shall be called for the purpose of limiting naval armaments.