WAR DEBTS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1933, Page 5

WAR DEBTS

AMERICAN OBJECT TO BRITISH ATTITUDE. (United Press A .sociation—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) WASRiXGTOX,' January 25. A feature of the British noth tlut is likely to-cause the greatest eofitiov-er'y is a clause for virtually excluding any discussion on important world economic f x’obleir.'S .during the debt nego'ihc ion s . However, it is.pointed out' that if the British not 0 ie vague concerning tins important feature, the HoovOr-R-o-ose-velt communique is equally vague thereon.

The note despatched •from London lia.s tended to substitute the opinion held by many that Britain wishes to divorce the debt conversations from such problems, as gold, trade, etc. Latg.to-day.it was revealed that Mr Roosevelt i s attempting to form a Congressional. Committee to keep touch between himself and C°nsri\u* regard-

ing opinion on the debts and other-mat- / leis. It is believed this would, at learnt, -'V. in a. measure, serve the same purpose as having congressmen on the Committee to negotiate on the. debts, which, iMr Hoove r favoured, and which Mr Roosevelt rejected,- . .. -i ~-

BRITAIN ACCEPTS PARLEY

WASHINGTON, January 25. Great Britain to-day "accepted Mr Roosevelt’,3 terms for th e discussion of the war debts, but she made a reservation against deciding, what questions should be considered by the World Economic Conference until a general meeting of all the nations to be represented there. The British reply w-a-s delivered at the State Department, while a furious, debate was in progress in the Senate which indicated that if there has been any yielding in .the Congresssional petition to cancellation or revision, it i s still of small proportions.

! BRITISH DELEGATION TO U.S.A. RUGBY, January 25. Sir R. Lindsay handed AI I Stimson a message from the British Govern- ' ment to Mr (Roosevelt, ■■ stating that they will be happy to -reed a representative or representatives to Washington, as soon as possible after March 4. They will ‘b e glad to exchange views With Mr Roosevelt, on other world economic problems in which the Governments are interested.

DEBATE IN SENATE

NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN’S SPEECH

WASHINGTON, January 26. The war debts debate agajn broke

oat in the Senate. It was started hv i a Republican member, he violently obyj jecting. to a rumour that a Roosevelt i emissary, was how ill Europe negotiat-

ing with various Governments

The Democrats vigorously denied the rumour, which Mr Roospvel.t himself later denied officially from Warm

Springs. Senator Johnson denounced the Brit-

ish petition. and ’he read a despatch quoting Mr Neville Chamberlain’s, the T Chancellor of th P Exchequer’s Leeds speech. He added ; ‘‘The American declaration on the debts and reparations is not liked. It ha, s absolutely no effect upon our British Britain American press opinion is' generally cool towards Mr Chamberlain’s speech The New York “Times' I says that Mr Chamberlain developed no new arguments, but merely repeated old ones in solemn, official manner. The “Herald-Tribune,” in a leading article, headed: “A Time of Sde n ce,” said ; Mr Chamberlain wa s not ready speaking [to the VLeeds Chamber of Commerce. He was speaking to the American people! Most thoughtful Americans already agree with a great deal of Mr Chamberlain’s argument (while those who do not are unlikely to be converted by having the British Chancellor of the (Exchequer explain to

them how stupid they are-” i The opinion is further expressed that l_the discussion has gone 'beyond the point where statesmen could hone to influence the public, opinion ,of other countries. Opinion could better be c°n- > verted through the ordinary diplomatic channels.

NO DEBT CUTS. WASHINGTON, January 25. Representative Henry Rainey (Illinois), the Democratic floor leader, predicted to-day to newspapermen, that “no reduction or cancellation of war debts would result from th e conference to be held .after Mr RooseVyelt takes office.” Ti'ie American people are not going to stand for a reduction in debts. Debt conferences should be linked with the World Ecoornfco Confer,ence. The (thing to do is to bring about the removal of international trade barriers, so tmu trade .ran be revived. .Conferences already projected hold only a peissioflit-v o’ opening up trade route,-;, and giving the debtors a chance to pay.”