WAR DEBTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 December 1924, Page 5

WAR DEBTS.

FRANCE’S ATTITUDE. ' AMERICA FIRST. BY’ CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT __ , . LONDON, Dec. 4. Ihe diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the confirmation or reports that France has begun preliminary negotiations for the funding of her debt to the United States has created a stir in British official financial, and political circles. Britain had intended to postpone consideration of the problem of inter-Allied debts until the apportionment of the Dawes annuities, but in view''of the Franoo-American exchange of debtfunding views, the British Ministers and the Treasury may be constrained to take up earlier than contemplated the question of Allied debts to Britain, on the groud that if France is able to discuss ways and means of discharging her obligations to the United estates, she is also in a position to discuss similarly her obligations to Britain. The British taxpayer, who is more heavily burdened than any other, is assuredly entitled to relief from the burdens which arise from the nonpayment of war debts. He cannot yield precedence to anyone.