THE CASE OF BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 124, 22 November 1932, Page 7

THE CASE OF BRITAIN

REDUCTION FAVOURED

ACTION DOUBTFUL

United Press Association—By Electric Telesraph—Copyright. WASHINGTON, 20th November. It is authoritatively intimated that President Hoover, while probably informing the Allies' that the war debt payments, due on loth December, must be met, plans to ask the President-elect, Mr. F. D. Roosevelt,, at their conference on Tuesday to join him in urging upon Congressional leaders the recreation of the Debt Commission. If he fails to obtain his successor's approval he may, nevertheless, incorporate such a recommendation in his annual message to Congress on sth December. Although Congress ignored a similar recommendation a year ago in the Pre sident's moratorium message, Mr. Hoover, it is known, would like to effect' some arrangements before the end of his term of office whereby Britain, if not other debtors, would obtain an immediate', reduction in the payments due to the United States. He.feels that such a concession is deserved, because Britain originally settled on the basis of being the debtor most able to pay and is now regarded as being in a much' less ' favourable economic position than Trance or other important debtor nations. There is much sentiment in Congress, echoed by Senator Watson to-night, favouring a reduction of the British debt, but with other nations also seeking a downward revision there appears' to be little chance of favourable action on any of the proposals from the present Congress when it reassembles.