AMERICA AWAITS LEAD

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 119, 16 November 1932, Page 9

AMERICA AWAITS LEAD

ROOSEVELT AND HOOVER

SIGNIFICANT TOUCH

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

graph—Copyright.

WASHINGTON, 14th November.

Although opposition to the postponement of war debt payments appears to be the dominant reaction of those few Congressmen who are now in Washington, the whole question seems to have reached a stalemate with practically all responsible leaders of both parties awaiting ■an indication of ; sentiment from the respective leaders, President Hoover and • the President-elect, . Mr. Eoosevelt, a conference between whom is now. assured. ■ •

. Although Mr. Boosevelt 's answer to the; conference proposal which was forwarded to Mr: Hoover aboard his special trainvto-day clearly indicates that he is not prepared, to take a definite stand, a responsibility which is Mr. Hoover's until March, Mr. Eoosevelt accepts the offer of a conference, but adds that a definite date must be settled later. He comments pointedly: "MayVl take the liberty:of suggesting that we make this meeting wholly informal and personal ?"-~

Mr. Roosevelt concludes significantly: "In the last analysis the immediate question raised by British, French, and other Notes creates a responsibility ■which rests upon those now vested with executive and legislative authority."

The only official information available to-day was that the Government was not ready to consider any general conference upon revision of -war debts. The State Department explained that it had not changed its attitude, that debt settlements was a matter for individual negotiation on the basis of so-called unilateral agreements. DEMOCRATIC OPINION. A number of Democratic Congressmen privately declare that they are opposed to co-operation between Messrs. Hoover and Roosevelt. They express the opinion that the present Congress should settle the matter and leave the forthcoming Congress clear. -However, such Democratic leaders as Senators "Walsh (Montana) and George (Georgia) said that Congress should be convened before the scheduled date, sth December, and the question settled in , accordance with the ' agreement reached between Messrs. Hoover and Koosevelt. All are agreed that Congressional action between sth December and 15th December is impossible.' "

A number of Congressmen,. mainly Republicans, are taking the position that neither revision nor cancellation are desirable until the full facts are available, which they maintain is not the present condition. :.''.'.

As a matter of fact, agreement with British and French Notes would mark a complete reversal of. the opinion of Congress as voiced on 10th December, 1931, when a joint resolution was passed declaring it against the policy of Congress that debts ,should be in any manmaner "cancelled or reduced."

PRESS MASKING- TIME.?

The Press reaction throughout the nation is somewhat clouded by the unusual circumstances involved in President Hoover's message to Mr. Roosevelt, which is unprecedented in American history. ' Practically all the newspapers tacitly admit that, the question is so delicate' and the consequences so far-reaching that they are reluctant to express a definite opinion. Instead, they emphasise the seriousness'of the situation 'and the necessity of wise concentrated action. The majority believe that muefi good may come from the Hoover-Roosevelt conference.

The prevailing attitude seems to continue to be anti-cancellation; with many hoping that the debts may be revised downward; in exchange for some, definite- benefits from debtor nations. Broadly speaking, the" readjustment cause appears to have gained some recruits. ' ■- ■ . . -