WAR DEBTS

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1930, Page 4

WAR DEBTS

EUROPEAN HOPES Of Five-Year Moratorium - — (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received October 22 at 11.15 p.m.) , LONDON. October 22. ' Any talk of the war debt invariably ’ leads to a crop of denials. Yet this subject is so vital to the overburdened peoples of Europe, aJid especially to over-taxed Britain, that a mere whisper is sufficient to evoke columns of speculation. A lengthy message is published from the “Daily Express” special correspondent at Paris, Mr 11. J. Greenwall, who says he understands that Mr Walter F. Edge, the United Stales Ambassador to France has gone to Washington specially to report to President Hoovr concerning the reception of a tentative proposal to grant the European debtors of America a five years’ ( moratorium. Mr Green wall also records the fact that the whole of the Conservative press of France is in a state of commotion because it is understood that the United States wants an assurance, before granting a moratorium, that France will not spend any money other- ■ wise due to America on armaments. The Government at Rome is also be- . ing sounded regarding Italy’s ship-: building programme. Mr Greenwall adds:—“lt is not J question of sentiment. It is purely a business matter with the United States. A moratorium would benefit her as i much as Europe. Germany will c<r- 1 tainly claim a moratorium from the ' Reparations payments, and France ; fears that if once Germany is permit- ' ted to withhold her payments, she may never start them again.”