DE,BT TO AMERICA

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 89, 26 September 1938, Page 4

DE,BT TO AMERICA

BRITAI N ’ S DIFFICULT Y QUESTION OF SETTLEMENT LONDON, June 24.—The question of a settlement 01 Britain's war debt to the L nited States is under serious consideration,, says the Sun. Thu United States Ambassador to Britain, Mr Kennedy, discussed the matter with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, and others beiore going to New York, and lie will explore it with the United States authorities.

It is considered here to be obviously impossible for Britain to pay off tne whole of the £897,00,0000 debt or to pay up fully the interest, including the accrued interest. It is believed that the American Government recognises this, and would accept a reasonable composition. It is held that settlement would greatly improve Anglo-American relations and improve the trade pact atmosphere. The British Government is most anxious to make its aims and policy widely! and favourably known in the United States, and propaganda experts -consider tiiis war debt is the outstanding obstacle. Lord Lloyd, chairman of the British Council, significantly remarked that it would pay Britain to settle the debt as soon as possible. At a. recent informal''conference, an American representative suggested that the United States might possibly take the West Indies in lieu of payment.

“We would sooner pay the debt,” said the British spokesman. “That is another way,” replied the American.