TOKEN PAYMENT?

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 219, 12 June 1933, Page 9

TOKEN PAYMENT?

War Debt Instalment BRITISH DISCUSSIONS Proposal to Washington ROOSEVELT’S OBSTACLES By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright (Received June 11, 6.30 p.m.) London, June 10. Cabinet has agreed to send a com munication to President Roosevelt through the Ambassador, Sir Ronald Lindsay, stating its views on war debts which were cabled to Allier ‘ t '’ 1 last night. It is believed a conditional proposal was made which may involve a nominal or token payment pending settlement ol the whole problem. There is good reason to believe that Mr. Ramsay MacDonald’s recent vlsu +r> Washington was attended by a prospect that President Roose veit would recommend a moiatoiium for the June payment, but it is obvious President Roosevelts course of action since has been seriously affected by minor revolts in Congress. The “Dally Mail” understands -hut Cabinet has decided to offer America a token' payment of £2.000.000' covering the June and December war debts payments. It is hoped to elicit a prompt indication of President Roosevelt’s intentions. A British official wireless message says that it is understood that the American war-debt question, which was considered at a Cabinet meetinj? yesterday afternoon, is still the sub Jeff of communications with Washing- t ton. It is presumed that these.will be contiuued over the weekend. It is anticipated that a further meeting of Cabinet will be held on Monday tnd Tuesday morning A statement in regard to the payment of the next instalment of the debt will be made in the House of Commons on Tuesday. In the course of a Press interview the leader of the American delegation, Mr. Cordell Hull, refused to discuss .war debts on the grounds that they were not included in the Conference agenda. CONGRESS GOES ON Delays for President ■ PROPOSALS AWAITED (Received June 11, 7.30 p.m.) Washington, June 11. Despite determined pressure from White House that Congress finish up its legislative programme and adjourn according to schedule to-night, in line with President Roosevelt's known desire to deal with the war debt crisis and World Economic Conference without so-called legislative Interference, strong opposition from blocs opposing certain features of the Industrial/ Recovery Bill and the limitations of war veterans’ ex penditures, prevented the passage of these two Important measures in the President's programme, and carried the special session of the legislature into next week. While White House intimated tonight that no formal written proposal had been received from any foreign Government with regard to the war debt instalment, and that until such was received the President could take no action and Indicate no opinion, it is reported to-night that partial payment from Great Britain and Italy appeared likely. Conjectural accounts of the visit of Sir Ronald Lindsay, the British Ambassador, to President Roosevelt on Thursday have it that the suggestion of a part payment not exceeding 8.000.000 dollars was advanced. The Ambassador continued to confer with the State De partment to-day. ns also did the Italian Ambassador. Signor Russo, who tndicat ed that, while the final decision still had to be reached, part payment was prob able, and that Signor Mussolini is ex pected to discuss war debts in his com lug address on foreign affairs. Reports from Paris indicated that France would again default.