WAR DEBTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1932, Page 8

WAR DEBTS

3.15 P.M. EDITION

GERMAN COMMENT. AMERICA IMPRUDENT AND UNJUST. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received December 15, 10.15 a.m. BERLIN, Dec. 14. The Socialist newspaper Vorwaerts, commenting on the French default, says: “The widespread anger of the French public at the possibility of payment was completely justified because America’s attitude was both imprudent and unjust. France feels that America deceived her on a technicality. The danger of France refusing to ratify the Lausanne agreements must not be underestimated.” UNITED STATES POLITICIANS. VIEWS ON FRANCE’S ATTITUDE. Received December 15, 11.45 a.m. WASHINGTON, Dec. 14. Senator Harrison, ranking as a Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said; “France’s attitude is incomprehensible to me.” One prominent Democratic Senator, who refused to permit his name to be used, held the view that the result will be so embarrassing to France that she will regret having pursued that course. “We cannot afford to ignore it,” he said. ACTION AGAINST DEFAULTERS. Representative Harold Knutson (Republican, Minnesota) to-day introduced legislation in the House to forbid the entry into the United States of securities of foreign Governments that have defaulted on debt payments. It would also prohibit advertising them for sale and the carrying of such obligations through the mails. FRANCE IN ISOLATED POSITION. Received December 15, 10.20 a.m. WASHINGTON, Dec. 14. France is envisioned in official and Congressional quarters as being in an isolated position. Inasmuch as the Government has not been advised officially that payment will not lie forthcoming, the State Department will await the expiration of the time for payment before making any announcement as to what action will be taken. The negotiations between France and the United States for a commercial treaty will probably be suspended automatically as the conditions would not be favourable for its continuance.