FRANCE’S DECISION

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1932, Page 5

FRANCE’S DECISION

WILL NOT PAY WAR DEBTS DUE TO AMERICA. (United Press Association—By Electric I’eiegraph—Copy vigil t; PARIS, De c ember 14. M. Herriot’s proposal ’to pay the Avar debt to the united States with reservations AA T as defeated in the Chamber 'of I 'Deputies by’4o2 to 187. The Herriot*’ ‘Gbvefiiitient has, re- , signed. ' j Speaking'in" tlib Chamber before his | 'Government’s defeat, *vi. Herriot declared that if France did not pay I America, then Great Britain could not I long continue to pay America Avithout I asking France to pay her. .. The Chamber of Deputies Avas still sitting at four o'clock in the morning. Avlien M. Herriot, the Premier, ros e to make his final appeal to the Deputies to accept the Government’s decison to pay America Avith reservations. One <>f the most telling speeches during the debate Avas that of a Conservative Deputy, stressing the point that the creditor wtrb, by his action, prevented the debtor from fulfilling his engagement thereby lost his right to exact the execution of that engagement. This wag an allusion to President Hoover's action in declaring the moratorium, which had deprived France of her credit; .on Germany, and thereby, of the means to pay her oavH debts. This 1 .declaration Avas greeted Avith an ovation by three-quarters of the Deputies.

M. Chain-in, defending the Government, asked Avhat the British people would think to-morrow, Avhen they were told that France Avas paying neither America nor Britain, Was it certain he asked, that England Avould demand nothing from France? In the war debt s debate in the Chamber, the Deputies loudly applauded allegations that speakers made of America’s double policy, consisting of Intervening in Europe Avhen America’s interests in Europe required her to do eo, and then AvithdraAving Avhen she encounters any disagreeable responsibility.

'Many of the speakers alleged that the real motive behind the Hoover Moratorium was the interests of the private American creditors, whose money was locked up in Germany. Speaker after speaker argued that the Avar debt payments were no longer morally justified, since they Aver g no longer covered by Germany.

While dramatic scenes Avere in progress inside the - French Chamber of ..Deputies during the Avar debts debate, there were equally exciting events proceeding outside. Mounted and foot police guarded all of the approache g to the Chamber, Avhile crowds of 'Royalists and others demonstrated as close to it as they possibly could go, shouting : “Not a cent for America 1”

There Avere several clashe© between the police and the rioters. The latter threAV paving stoneg at tramcars. They tore up iron' rflilings protecting trees in the boulevards, and used them as weapons. The police charged the demonstrators. A score of people Avere injured. Hundreds of demonstrators were arrested. EXPRESSIONS OF INDIGNATION.

AT THE STEP TAKEN BY FRANCE. (Received thi« day at 8.50 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 14. Disappointed and confused by the French insistence on a conference, the Unjjted Stales Government to-day, nevertheless, held firmly to its attitude toward Europe on the Avar debts—pay o, r default, hut /uhderneath official Washington ran a current of suppressed excitement.

Inasmuch as the United States Government considers, it spoke plainly in replies to every request for a moratorium extension. Indications were that the White House and the State Department would keep silent until to-morrow, the date when payments were due

Should France, Belgium and other nations default, the President may propose a new study of the debt question as he has indicated. Congress alone can alter the existing agreements. Expressions of indignation came from members of the Congress. Senator McKedar Raid'; “It is clear that Germany is not the only European nation that treats its obligations as ‘scraps ot paper.’ I think it iis the most ungrateful act in the career of any nation in the world.” Mr Mcßeynolds, chairman of the lionise of Foreign . Affairs Committee, said; “France has, less ,excuse. not to pay than any other nation, , The, settlement made* with her was only seventyfive j per cent of, what she received after the war. There is no question about France’s ability to pay. I .admire very much the strenuous fight made M. Her,riot, but apparently, the opposition ran wild.” Senator AlcNarn, assistant Republican leader, ,said; “I cannot foresee what we may he up against.” Senator Bingham said that he h not supposed the French, whose, business seriise was so acute, would default. “They forget that had we been unwilling to loan the money they needed when they needed it, and on reason a bio tr>”n,s. the result would have been fatal to France."

M. HER RIOT’ S HEROIC FIG HT. raJiNxnjJN, December 14. xne (jnamnex ros* at 6 a.m, and re-

sits when tiie new 'fjovernment formed. ;M. Herriot and otli.f r Members Cabinet reached the , Ely See at 6.15 a.m. and handed iin their resignation in ,M. Le Brim, who, at 9 a.m., commenced consultations -for the formation of a new Cabinet. M. Herriot fought heroically, less to save th > Government, than to endeavour to keen France on thro right path, and to avoid ruining lief solidarity with Britain, eloquently claiming that “what’s at stake in this d 9 bate is France’s signature.” aw mmmmmmmm