HIS LAST GESTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1932, Page 5

HIS LAST GESTURE

ME, HOOVER’S MOVE DEBT REVISION QUESTION. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Washington, December 19. In the opinion of competent political observers here, Mi 1 Hoover has made his -last war debts revision gesture. The matter is now squarely before Mr Roosevelt, either to accept the Presidfentjls [offer iof co-operation in the formation of a bi-partigan semi-Co ngrcssional diplomatic commission; or, if. he refuses, the President-elect must accept full responsibility himself after March 4th. * •In his note to Congress t-o-day, which even Democrats admitted *!s a broadvisioned, sound paper, Hoover took into full consideration the ‘Congressional

aversion to the sanctioning of a deb* commission. At the same .time, he strongly reiterated his contention that the matter is serious, and is requiring immediate attention.

The general tenor of the statements by the Democratic leaders indicates that Mr Roosevelt 'will decline to co-oper-ate.

Reports from Albany indicate Mr Roosevelt still favours negotiation through the existing diplomatic agencies, and that he will take no responsibility before his inauguration.

Thus Mr Hoover must either on his pergonal initiative, appoint a commission, or must withdraw from the mat. ter. Which course he will take is problematical, but it is recognised that it is very doubtful if Britain, for example, would wish to enter into negotiations with a commission -whose authority automatically terminates scarcely more than two months’ hence. Mr -Hoover’s method of linking the war debts to other phases of the world economic situation is generally approved in 'Congressional circles, where it is felt the American nation should receive sonre concessions in disarmament and in trade in return for debt revision ; but the. Democrats have felt that ‘Mr Roosevelt should assume no responsibility which might commit their party to a programme /which later •events might caus e to be disapproved. They have seemed willing, though, to let Mr Hoo'r£ r form a commission to '‘explore” the situation, reserving the right to act on the suggestion as they saw lit.

Mr Hoover’s mention of an examination of the debt obligations of those nations -which “sought to pay” is Interpreted as meaning smaller nations, such as Greece and Hungary, and also •France, if she soon makes good her default. It.is generally agreed that Britain would be the first to benefit from any re.&camin’ation.

The press generally has approved the message, a number of newspapers emphasising the necessity of dealing with all of the international economic difficulties, as well as the debts. Many admit the difficulty of getting complete co-operation between Congress and Mr Hoover and Mr Roosevelt, but they view the note as a step in the right direction.

BRITISH PRESS COMMENT,

LONDON, December 20,

M r Hoover’s message to Congress i« featured by all papers. The “Daily Telegraph” describes it as "remarkably bold, showing how the better mind of America -has been working. Mr Hoover in this message, as in a previous one, is shown as being completely cured of the delusion that his country is able to stand on its own feet in happy detachment from the troubles of the rest of the world.