PRIZE STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1932, Page 6

PRIZE STORY

REGARDING PAYMENT OF DEBTS. GARNER’S STAND CRITICISED. (United Press Association—Py Electric Telogi ph— Gopyngnt.)

(Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Decenffier 3.

Senator Cordell ‘Hull (Democratic), a tariff expert from Tennessee, sent a proposal to President Hoover to-day that the United States "'take the lead l ership in persuading the I "’world powers to put tariffs tit teii per cent., and ■mow 'down other artificial trade obstacles. If the nations accepted this programme, .America could reduce her debt payments. *

Congressman Somers (Democrat, from New York), proposed that Britain should be allowed to repay her indebtedness in silver.

A prize story about the war debt negotiations developed to-day, in a conversation beween a “Sun” representative with Senator Garner. The “Sun” man says that this eminent, Texas statesman retailed what he had said to President Hoover recently, adding “I still think the same way.” He then continued: “But you know I have not read this latest from Britain, as 1 haven’t had time. I have been too busy with beer.”

“Senator parner, in this matter,” says the representative, “has more power than the President, for he will he “boss” of the Congress in the coming “lame duck” session next year. He will be vice-president and presiding officer of the Senate.

One of the greatest documents of diplomatic history had passed, and he would not take the trouble to read it. Yet he was ready to jump into the front column of the American press with the positive declaration that Congress was not going to change its mind about it. Congressmen repeatedly disclose that changing minds is one of the best things. They were told that Garner himself, a few months ago, was one cf the most devoted believers in prohibition, yet the.people changed his mind for him. “As a matter of fact certain influential Senators told me privately that the British position may. with great propriety, be reviewed, but none of them 'thought that the December payment should be postponed, concluded the “S.un” representative.