WAR DEBTS ISSUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21342, 17 November 1932, Page 11

WAR DEBTS ISSUE

MORATORIUM PLEAS

FEELING IN AMERICA

CONSENT DOUBTFUL

CONTRADICTORY REPORTS

OPPOSITION GROWING

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Received November 16. 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Nov. 15

That another year's moratorium may be given to the European nations on their debt payments to the United States is taken to be practically settled, according to the views of highly-placed officials who have been conferring with the President, Mr. Hoover.

On the other hand, the arrival of many additional members of Congress in Washington and tho "polling" of others by telegraph, indicated a crystallisation of the strong anti-postponement sentiment. A Democrat spokesman known to be in tho close confidence of Mr. Roosevelt, predicted that the President-elect will not tako the responsibility of a postponement of payments pending consideration of the broader problem of debts revision. Some obser-vers now see a possibility of a postponement of the World Economic Conference till next summer on the chance that the Democrats mignt agree to inclusion of the debts question in the agenda. Indications that Congress will reject the postponement proposals became pronounced to-day. The Democrat floor leader" in the House of Representatives, Mr. H. I. Rainey (Illinois) declared: "I am unalterably, as always, against changing the debt situation. This moratorium is the silliest thing. Thcro is not the slightest chance of passing it in this Congress or any other." Important leaders of the Senate expressed opposition to postponement, some with qualifications. These included Mr. W. E. Borah.

Tho receipt of a Note from Belgium today, similar in substance to those from Britain and Franco, produced a general impression that others can be expected soon, constituting a united European front against America on the question.