WAR DEBT PAYMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21940, 29 April 1933, Page 9

WAR DEBT PAYMENTS

POSSIBILITY OF REVISION BUT NOT BEFORE CONFERENCE (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) WASHINGTON, April 27. It was stated at White House to-day that President Eoosevelt is willing to consider war debt revision after the World Economic Conference, but he has entered into no agreement for postponement of the June 15 payments, nor has he laid down any plan of debt settlement. f Simultaneously at the State Department Mr Cordell Hull (Secretary of State) indicated that,a world truce on tariffs, pending the convening of the London Conference in June, was under consideration, and the United States was favourably inclined toward it. Regarding war debts, Mr Hull said that after further conversations with the debtor nations now in progress some adjustment might be worked out for the June payments, but that stage had not been reached. Mr Hull, in response to inquiries, said he did not think that Mr Norman Davis had received instructions to propose that a tariff truce be called for Saturday, when formal invitations to the London Conference would be dispatched to all nations, though it was not impossible. A definite decision on the practicability of a truce would be reached by Saturday. The Speaker (Mr Rainey) told newspapermen to-day that he personally was opposed to granting further moratoria on war debts. However, if President Roosevelt asked for such a postponement, he (Mr Rainey) would support the Administration. SILVER AS PAYMENT WASHINGTON, April 27. Senator Pittman (Democrat, Nevada) told newspapermen to-day that the increase of 100,000,000 dollars in the amount the United States may receive in silver as payment on war debts, will be written into the Administration inflation programme.

THE LONDON CONFERENCE PLANS WELL IN HAND. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 27. The June conference plans are already In hand. St. James’s Palace is considered too small, and the handsome new building at South Kensington recently erected as a geological museum has been appropriated for the purpose. The main floor, which will be the conference room, is 140 feet by 100 feet. Seats and desks for 170 delegates and accommodation for 200 journalists are being installed. Offices for the delegates and staffs are being provided in the spacious gallery.

AMERICA AND FRANCE TARIFF TRUCE PROBABLE. WASHINGTON, April 27. (Received April 28, at 9 p.m.) M. Herriot told a Press Conference tonight that a Franco-American tariff truce may soon be arranged. He stated that France and the United States had also reached understandings during the evening on principles of disarmament and security.