DEEP SATISFACTION

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1933, Page 5

DEEP SATISFACTION

ANGLO-U.S. TALK

CONFERENCE AT WASHINGTON.

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

• WASHINGTON", April 24. Mr MacDonald and Mr Roosevelt, in a joint statement to-niglit, said that for the purpose of exploring problems, the World Economic Conference “has been admirably served,” and “deep satisfaction” over the discussions is expressed. Agreement on economic problems had been reserved for the World Economic. Conference, which may be speeded np to enable its opening in the middle of June.

Mr MacDonald .and President Roosevelt issued a joint statement to-night, in which they reported progress on the arms and economic problems, which they had been discussing together.

President Roosevelt and Mr Ramsay MacDonald spent the day on a pleasure cruise on the Potomac River. They' held general' disarmament discussions after which they issued a joint communique as follows: “To-day was occupied in a thoughtful survey of the business at the Disarmament Conference at Geneva. It was felt by both the President and the Prime. Minister that the results’of the day’s conversations would considerably advance the prospects of success both of the Disarmament Conference and the .International Economic Conference. The Pi 1 #!

sident will coninue the discussion QU disarmament problems with M. Her--riot.”

Informed circles represent' President Roosevelt as most pleased with the day’s disarmament conversations. This prompted Senator Borah .to comment that although .the currencies are the most pressing problem, the expenditure on arms continues to be the problem that also inust-r.be' solved. He still holds that it is one- of the basic causes of world depression. Optimism pervaded the AngloAmerican trade and. arms conversations. For the fourth time, Mr MacDonald and President. Roosevelt talked things over, calling their chief advisers to their sides in tile afternoon.. : < :

An understanding . between ■■ Britain and the United States, on a revised gold standard om a. .. monetary basis appeared in sight, together with, a very definite proposal - for •' armament reduction. :

Senator Borah, after .being host to Mr MacDonald at breakfast,- reported him as been optimistic-and as expecting an agreement* “which will make the World Economic Conference a success.” . ‘ The economic experts were summoned to White Hou&tpfor a late report on their progress toward a revised monetary basis, and an understanding on reciprocal ■’ tariff reduction agreements. •- 1 • ■

WAR DEBTS NOT DISCUSSED.

WASHINGTON, April 24

Senator Hull (U.S. Secretary of State) said to-day that the economic conversations here have shown a general disposition to visualise ills and to attack them in a spirit of co-operation. No. agreements had been reached. Tihe conversations, he said, werq of great value in smoothing the way for success at the World Economic Conference, which was expected to take place either in the middle of June or about the first of July in London. The indications were that the upshot of the Washington conversations would be, in some cases, a gentleman’s agreement, and in others, a disposition to take action between now and the

conference toward co-ordinating national views.

Asked whether the war debts had entered into the discussions as yet, he replied flatly in the negative.

FRENCH DELEGATION ARRIVES.

WASHINGTON, April 23. M Herriot with the French delega-

tion, arrived here to-day Apart from currency and prices, the arrival of the French delegation has definitely placed other questions in the foreground. The members of the delegation have let it be known that discussions on the debts, on internatonal politics, on the status quo in Europe, and on French security would be pressed at the proper time. Under President Roosevelt’s broad invitation, M. Herrot, will discuss all matters freely.

M. EERRIOT’S STATEMENT WASHINGTON, Aprl 23. M. Herriot made a statement to the press after his arrival here to-day. Ho said that America’s departure from the gold standard had changed, some of the technical aspects of the problems which hc< was to discuss with Mr Roosevelt, but it had not changed the purpose of the discussion, which aimed toward the restoration of the world economic machinery.

FRANC HAS NOTHING TO FEAR. PARI« April 23. “The franc has nothing to fear from the fl'ctuamns in other currencies. It :emains the world’s most stable' solidly covered currency,” said M. Daladier. j‘The re-establishment of internati-nal confidence is more important than artificial measure, whereon hopes have been based.

TRIANGULAR. CONVERSATION

WASHINGTON, April 23.

Arrangements for triangular conversations between President Roosevelt, Mr MacDonald and M. Herriot, have been completed.