REPUDIATED DEBTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 130, 14 March 1930, Page 5

REPUDIATED DEBTS.

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR ECHO. DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, March 12. The question of the repudiated Uivil War deots or certain southern States of America was again given attention in the House of Lords by Lord Redesdale, who asked whether the Government would consider the advisibility of representing the matter to the United States with a view to ah early adjustment. He said that the total sum owing by eight defaulting States was £78,000,000, about one-twelfth of Britain's war debt to America. There was considerable feeling in America about the default of these States, and the Washington Government might welcome an invitation from Britaini to reopen the subject. Such action would raise America from the ievel of Russia in the matter of repudiation of debts, and in the words of their own President, Mr Roosevelt, erase from their history a painful and shameful page. Lord Fonsonby, replying, said that successive Governments since 1841 had always refused representation to the American Government on the subject, realising that the Federal Government was in nowise concerned with the individual States' obligations, and had no power to compel the defaulting States to pay their debts. There was no likelihood of the Federal Government making a liability, of the matter, particularly as it 'was impossible to supply definite and reliable information on* the subject. Lord Ponsomby added: "I think the present is the most unfortunate time to make such speeches as Lord Redosdale's." There was no connection whatever between these State's repudiation and Britain's war debt to America. Lord Redesdale objected to using the Naval Conference as a. smoke screen to prevent free speech in the House of Lords. The debate then ended.