FOREIGN PROBLEM

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 204, 10 June 1932, Page 5

FOREIGN PROBLEM

AMERICA AND WAR DEBTS. CANCELLATION OPPOSED. FEELING IN WASHINGTON, (United Pre3S Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, June 8. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that the Powers receiving reparations from Germany have been informed through diplomatic channels that the United States has no sympathy with any programme envisaging the cancellations of those reparations contingent upon the annulment of war time debts due to America. Tlie State Department tacitly admitted that various foreign envoys had made inquiries of the Secretary of State (Mr H. L. Stimson) on the question and had been informed of the (position, but whether Mr Stimson, according to London report-, informed the British Ambassador (Sir Ronald Lindsay) that, quite apart from the American debt phase, it would be just for Germany to pay a reasonable amount in reparations, was a question which remained unanswered here to-day. Officials declined to comment on the point and the silence has led to extensive speculation as to how far the United States may have gone informally in supporting any given solution of the reparation problem at Lausanne ' There is a feeling in responsible circles here that,lf all the reparations were forgiven Germany, it would mean that cost of the war would he transferred to Allied and American shoulders. M. HERRIOT’S SPEECH. L WELL RECEIVED IN BRITAIN. LONDON, June 8. M.» Herriot’s speech was well received by the British press. “The Times” says that read together with the statement by the German Foreign Minister on Monday, M. Herriot’s speech improves the prospect that an agreement will he reached at Lausanne, if each participant State will make its separate contribution of concession and goodwill which are necessary conditions of common recovery. A firm arrangement should even now be achieved. The “News-Chronicle” says that the great point about M. Herriot’s declaration is that it leaves all doors open. It is a frank offer to discuss in a spirit of goodwill any projects and even to take any initiative, subject to certain reservations which nobody would challenge. PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS.

PROPOSAL BY FRENCH PREMIER. ' LONDON, June 8. A Foreign Office communique states that M. Herriot addressed to the British Government a proposal for preliminary conversations before, the opening of tlie conference at Lausanne on Thursday.—British Official Wireless. BRITISH GOVERNMENT ■ PERTURBED. EFFORT TO SAVE CONFERENCES LONDON, June 8. As certain important questions have arisen in which Australia is concerned, Mr J. G. Latham (Federal Minister for External Affairs) who intended leaving London to-morrow, has postponed his departure. The “Sun” understands that the British Government is anxious that Mr Latham should remain in connection with important international developments that are imminent, possibly necessitating his return to Switzerland early next week. Mr Latham said he could not discuss the situation. It has been known for a considerable tiqie that the British-. Government is greatly perturbed at the rapid worsening of events in Europe, with the threatened breakdown of the Disarmament Conference at Lausanne. Mr MacDonald during his convalescence prepared what constitutes Britain's last desperate effort to save the conferences. In addition to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, other British Ministers at Lausanne include Mr Neville Chamberlain (Chancellor of the Exchequer), Mr W. Runciman (President of the Board of Trade), and Sir Herbert Samuel (Secretary of- State for Home Affairs.) NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIVE LONDON, June 9._ Sir Thomas Wilford (High Commissioner for New Zealand) has gone to Geneva and' will afterwards proceed to Lausanne.