AMERICAN STATEMENT

Southland Times, Issue 22043, 16 June 1933, Page 7

AMERICAN STATEMENT

SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION. GOOD AUGURY FOR CONFERENCE. (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, June 14. A statement issued in Washington tonight by the President of the United States, Mr Roosevelt, points out that payment of 19,000,000 dollars does not in any sense prejudice the freedom of either Government in any subsequent discussion of the entire debt question, which will take account of this and other debt payments. The President added: "Meanwhile, the World Conference is beginning under the most favourable auspices, and it is vitally necessary during the opening days of the conference that difficult and possibly protracted discussion on debts be avoided.”

Mr Roosevelt said that Britain had asked for a review of the debt agreement and he suggested that she should send representatives to Washington to discuss this as soon, as convenient.

Mr Roosevelt continued: “In a spirit of co-operation I have noted the representations of the British Government with respect to the payment of the instalment inasmuch as the payment made is accompanied by a clear acknowledgment of the debt. In view of those representations and of the payment, I have no personal hesitation in saying I do not characterize the resultant situation as default. Beyond this the law and the constitution do not permit me to go.” , Continuing Mr Roosevelt remarked: “The Economic Conference does not include a consideration of war debts in its programme. The American delegates were instructed not to discuss them with the representatives of debtor governments. This is in accordance with the principle that debts should be considered on their merits and separate from other international economic questions.”