WAR DEBTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 197, 2 June 1934, Page 5

WAR DEBTS.

SACREDNESS OF OBLIGATION.

THE UNITED STATES ATTITUDE.

A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS,

(United Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) WASHINGTON, June 1. ‘‘No legislation is either necessary or advisable,' 1 President Roosevelt declared in a message on war debts t,o the United States Congress to-day. “We are using every means to persuade each debtor nation as to the ;sacredness of its obligations and also to assure them ot our willingness, if they should request it, to discuss frankly and fully the special circumstances relating to means and methods of payment.” • The message continued: “The American people are not disposed to place an impossible burden upon debtors, but are nevertheless in a just position to ask that substantial sacrifices be made to meet debts. Repayment of debts has gravely complicated our trade and financial relationships with borrowing nations for many years.” The message also contained a warning that the American peojle were certain to be swayed “by the use which debtor countries make of' their available resources, whether they be applied for the purpose of recovery as well as for reasonable payment of the debt owed to the-'United States, or for the purpose of unproductive nationalistic expenditure or like purposes.”