APPROVAL IN AMERICA

Evening Star, Issue 21291, 21 December 1932, Page 3

APPROVAL IN AMERICA

PRESIDENT HOOVER’S CAUTIOUS NOTE MR ROOSEVELT STANDS ALOOF Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. WASHINGTON, December 19. In the opinion of competent political observers here President Hoover has made his last war debts revision gesture, and the matter is now squarely before Mr Roosevelt either to'accept the President’s offer of co-operation in the formation of a bi-partisan diplomatic commission, or, if he refuses, ho must accept full responsibility himself after March 4. In his Note to Congress today, which’ even the Democrats admitted is a broad visioned and sound paper, Mr Hoover took into full consideration Congressional aversion to sanctioning a debt commission. At the same time he strongly reiterated his contention that the matter is serious, requiring immediate attention. . The general tenor of statements by the Democratic leaders indicates that Mr Roosevelt will decline to co-operate. Reports from Albany indicate that he still favours negotiation through the existing diplomatic agencies, and will take no responsibility before his inauguration. Thus,* Mr Hoover must either, on his personal initiative, appoint a commission or withdraw from the matter. Which course ho will take is problematical, but it is recognised that it is very doubtful if Britain, for example, would wish to enter into negotiations ’ with a commission whose authority would automatically terminate scarcely more than two months hence. Mr Hoover’s method of linking debts to other phases of the world economic situation is generally approved in congressional circles, where it is felt that the-nation should receive some concessions in disarmament and trade in return for revision, but the .Democrats feel that Mr Roosevelt should assume no responsibility which might commit the party to a programme which later events might cause to be disapproved. They seemed willing, though, to let Mr Hoover form a. commission to “ explore ” the situation, reserving the right to act on any suggestions as they saw fit. Mr Hoover’s mention of the examination oL the debt obligations of those nations whichsought to pay” is interpreted as meaning smaller nations—such as ; Greece . and Hungary—and Franco if she soon makes good her default. It is generally agreed that Britain would be the first to benefit from any re-examination. ■ The i Press generally approves the message, a number of newspapers emphasising the necessity for dealing with all international economic difficulties, as well as debts. Many admit the difficulty of getting complete co-operation between Congress, Mr Hoover, and Mr Roosevelt, but they view the note as , » step. In' right,direction. 3 , NOTHING TO SAY 'ALBANY (New York). December *19.; Mr Roosevelt declined to comment on Mr Hoover’s message. BRITISH PRESS COMMENT LONDON, December 20. Mr Hoover’s message to Congress is featured by all the papers. * The ‘ Daily Telegraph r describes it as “ remarkably hold, showing how the better niind of America has been working. Mr Hoover in this message, as in the previous one, is shown as being completely cured of the’ delusion that his country is able to stand on its own feet in happy detachment from the troubles of the rest of the world.”

HEW ZEALAND'S OFFER NOT ACCEPTED MEANTIME. LONDON, December 19. It is understood that the Government will to-morrow despatch a reply to New, Zealand’s offer to resume payments, indicating deep appreciation of the magnificent spirit, especially in view of New Zealand’s Budget problem, but the reply is likely to suggest that the question should remain in abeyance pending negotiations with America. The position is that Britain neither asked nor expected the dominions at present to resume payments. The crux of tho situation is Lausanne, which some dominion opinion confuses with the Hoover moratorium —notably, New Zealand’s offer. It was agreed at Lausanne that the dominions would not be treated less generously than foreigners if the question of payment arose. Britain is not desirous of disturbing Lausanne owing to the repercussions in Europe. She hopes for an early discussion with America, pending which the Lausanne agreement must continue. The ‘ Morning Post,’ in commending New Zealand’s honourable debt gesture, remarks: “ There is no war debtor more deserving of relief or none readier to make every sacrifice rather than diV honour her bond.”- ‘ The Times ’ says: “ It is an unselfish offer from the dominion, which is gallantly struggling through the depression. Tho same attitude is taken by Australia, although she abstains

from making a formal offer pending a review of the whole situation. The attitude of these dominions is welcomed as another proof of their high courage and generous comradeship.” POSITION IN AUSTRALIA CANBERRA, December 20. New Zealand’s offer to resume liability for her war debt payments in no way involves Australia in immediate action. The next Australian payment will not fall duo until March 31, and official circles express the opinion that, owing to' the uncertainty of the world position and the possibility, of some future arrangement between Britain and. the United States, any decision upon the subject at present would be premature. . CANCELLATION INEVITABLE HU W. M. HUGHES’S VIEWS. SYDNEY, December 20. Mr W. M. Hughes, upon his return from England, said: “ No matter what shape the immediate result of default by France, Belgium, and other nations may assume, the cancellation of war debts is inevitable. I consider that in the; facp of the British Notes _ and the attitude of the defaulting nations, the United States will be compelled to review its position.” DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S ATTITUDE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION UNLIKELY. WASHINGTON, December 20. (Received December 21, at 10 a.m.) The Democrats are clearly shying away from active participation in President Hoover’s proposal for a commission for review of war debts, and he elected at Capitol Hill to go ahead on his own initiative.

The Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee (Mr Collier) said to-day: “I am willing to have the Ways and Means Committee consider the message, but I am confident that it will not consider it favourably.” He said he was opposed to Congress setting up any additional commissions to be appointed by President Hoover shortly before his retirement, but said he had no objection to the President setting up another of his own. “I am confident this Congress is opposed to creating another debt funding commission,” Mr Collier said. The proposition would not be laid before his group for consideration at least until January, ■ SEPARATE NEGOTIATIONS WITH DEBTOR NATIONS FAVOURED WASHINGTON, December 20. (Received December 21, at 11 a.m.) President Hooyer and Mr Roosevelt ;aro understood to have already exchanged views; Mr Roosevelt’s attitude is described as sympathetic, but firm against dividing the responsibility with the President. The friends of Mr Roosevelt are convinced that he will stand by his previously announced policy that debt negotiations should be conducted through regular diplomatic channels and separately with the debtor nations. .Senator Swanson (Virginia), the Democrat member of the United States Arms Delegation, who has been regarded as perhaps the first choice of the President for a place on the debts agency, said; ‘‘The power to negotiate all foreign relations is left with the President under the Constitution. The methods he adopts have been left entirely with him under law and custom. I think a situation has developed that makes it wiser for the United States to conduct separate negotiations. Tho United States is the really only creditor nation. Joint negotiations would only bring a solid front against us.”