WASHINGTON CONVERSATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 94, 22 April 1933, Page 11

WASHINGTON CONVERSATIONS

MR. RAMSAY MACDONALD ARRIVES

UNCONCERNED AT AMERICAN ACTION

FRENCH DELEGATES FEAR FAILURE

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received April 22, 8.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 21. Arriving to help to map out a campaign for a world war against what he called "unmerited poverty," Mr. J. Ramsay MacDonald, British Prime Minister, said today that the abandonment ' of the gold standard by the United States affects England "not at all so far as I am concerned." . Asked in a brief interview if he were disappointed at President Roosevelt's action, Mr. MacDqnald replied, "Oh, gracious no," adding that he really was without information concerning the development. ■ • "Aside from the bare fact that the United States had, for the time being, abandoned the gold standard it only brings out in a higher light," he said, "the distress of the world, and that is what your President and I are trying to face, and, I hope, to face it successfully." ■ (Received April 22, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 21. In a written statement to the Press, Mr. Mac Donald said:— "I hope to have with President Roosevelt a frank exchange of views over a wide range of issues, both economic and political. In the short time at our disposal definite arrangements, of course, are not to be looked for. They concern other countries as_,well as ourselves, but the way must be paved for concerted action, and i I believe our meeting to be necessary to that end. "I wish to take this opportunity, as l l land in the United States, of greeting my American friends. I well remember the warm welcome and generous hospitality you gave me in 1929. _ The friendship between our countries then augmented has continued, I am happy to feel, to this day. "Particularly am I pleased to meet your President to discuss '• with him our common responsibilities. On March 4 I listened to Ins inaugural address. Since that day I.have followed with increasing interest the courageous efforts he has been making to fulfil the expectation which sprang from that remarkable speech. "Your President has been good enough to invite me, both as Prime Minister of my country and chairman of the World Economic Conference^ to come over to explore the problems which have to be dealt with at tiiat gathering. I have accepted because I believe we two are in harmony of spirit regarding all great world causes, and agree that the most pressing of these at the -moment is the removal qf ,die economic distress that' has befallen us. We must strive to clear the obstacles which block the highways of trade,'both within our own countries and between nations, and so restore the hope of employment to workless millions who look to earn their living in factory and field." ' (British Official Wireless.) • RUG3Y, April 21. The Cunard liner Berengaria, in which Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, Prime Minister of Great Britain, has travelled to America for his conversations with President Roosevelt, reached New York today. ' ' " > The Prime Minister was given an official welcome, and was met by the British Ambassador (Sir Donald Lindsay), who later travelled with him to Washington. On arrival at Washington, Mr. Mac Donald will proceed to White House, where lie is staying with the President. The conversations will range over current problems, with particular reierence to those which will arise at the World Economic Conference.. and the war ; debts are also expected to be. among the subjects on which views will be exchanged. The departure of the United States from'the gold standard is naturally expected to affect considerably many economic and financial questions- which are likely to be considered. The officials accompanying the Prime Minister include Sir Robert Vansittart, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, Sir Frederick Leith Ross, the Government's chief economic adviser, and Mr. A. C. Overton, Board of Trade.