War Debts

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7068, 30 January 1933, Page 7

War Debts

Manoeuvring for Position preliminary skirmishing IN U.S.A. ' United Press Association—By Electric Tolegraph—Copyright Received Sunday, 9.50 p.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 27. At the requost of the British Cabinet the British Ambassador to U.S.A., Sir Ronald Lindsay, is sailing on Tuesday to lay the Anglo-American debt situation before his Government. It was announced to-night tha't opinion in official circlos is that Sir Ronald Lindsay’s journey is in tho interests of preventing a deadlock between Britain aud the United States over tho preliminaries to tho March discussions. The impasse has been laid before Mr. Roosevelt at Warm Springs, but no intimation has been given of his next move. Whilo it is gonerally known that tne present Administration is anxious that British representatives should come hore it is also understood by unusually authoritative sources that President Hoover disagrees with tho British view that they have no tangible conclusions to offer in exchange for tho downward revision of war debts. The feeling is widespread in important Administration quarters that no formal answer to London should bo sent at present on tho grounds that it might discourage the British from engaging in tho discussions. Though the State Department is uncommunicative on the debts question in the Senate Senator Robinson, of Indiana (a Republican), introduced aresolution unqualifiedly opposing a revision of war debts after assailing Senator Robinson, of Arkansas, Democratic leader, for having brought Sir Ronald Lindsay as his guest to the Senate floor in violation of the Tulcs. Senator Robinson, of Arkansas’, apologised, explaining that his action was intdvertent and that tho “subject of international debts was not even mentioned, much less discussed.’’ Whereupon Senator Robinson, of Indiana, Tejoined: "I submit that a foreign Ambassador has no right on tho floor. Everyone knows his chief interest is to get his nation’s debt reduced." Senator Robinson, of Arkansas, opposed immediate consideration of tho resolution, which "was referred to the Eoreign. Relations Committee, where it is likely to lie killed. Tho 'subject of debts also arose before tho House Ways and Means Committee, which is considering a measuro to increase duties against foreign countries with depreciated currencies. Mr. James A. Harrell, former president of the United States Steel Corporation, testifying before the committee as chairman of the Horeign Commerce Committee of the United State's Chamber of Commerce, described the measure as the “most important thing before Congress, and one' which would put the United States in a much improved position during the debts negotiations." This measure, introduced by Congressman Hill, a Democrat, is generally ignored by the majority of his Democratic colleagues, who desire to keep open tho tariff question for the incoming Administration.

Trying 1 to Drive Brittain Back To Gold

AMERICAN PANIC LEGISLATION Received Sunday, 10.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 28. A House vote on tho legislation to boost tariff rates against countries •with, depreciated currencies was ensured to-day when 1-15 members signed the discharge petition. The vote would come on Monday, February 13. The petition was filed by Representative Schafter, Republican, of Wisconsin, and was signed speedily after this week’s Republican Conference, which went on record in favour of the plan that the vote be taken on whether the Ways and Means Committee should be discharged from further consideration of the Crowther Bill, which would increase tho duties automatically in a ratio to be determined by the amount of depreciation. It is similar to the Hill Bill on which the Ways and Means sub-committee has been holding hearings. Britain Objects to Bargaining ROOSEVELT PASSES HOOVER BY Received Sunday, 10.30 p.m. ' NEW YORK, Jan. 29. A message from Warm Springs today announced that Mr. Roosevelt had assumed personal direction of the war debts negotiations and virtually took over tho functions of the Presidency when he invited Sir Ronald Lindsay to .visit him there and confer on the situation prior to the Ambassador’s .visit .to England to place the matter before the MacDonald Govcfnment. Sir Ronald Lindsay took an airplane from Washington to Atlanta. Thence accompanied by Mrs. Roosevolt he motored tq Warm Springs where he will start discussions with Mr. Booseyelt on Sunday-. At tho afternoon Press conference Mr. Roosevelt, in answer to queries on the nature of the conference, said he would discuss “debts and economics.” It is assumed he would inform Sir Ronald Lindsay of his views both as to procedure at the negotiations and what the American attitude could be expected to be. There is much speculation regarding Mr. Roosevelt’s exact motive in inviting Sir Ronald Lindsay to Warm Springs. It is known that the financial interests in this country are pressing him for a sharp reduction in the debts. At tho same time there is a considerable difference of opinion among his advisers concerning the extent of the reductions. Furthermore London dispatches indicate strong objection to his “bargaining” policy. Informed circles believe, firstly, he wishes to take the negotiations out of Mr. Hoover’s hands and take full con-

trol himself. Secondly, ho wants to through Sir Ronald Lindsay of his position in ful to avaid possibe disappointment.