HOOVER’S LAST GESTURE

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1932, Page 7

HOOVER’S LAST GESTURE

REVISION OF WAR DEBTS

DESIRE FOR A COMMISSION

HIS MESSAGE TO CONGRESS

ATTITUDE OF DEMOCRATS

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright,

Rec. 10 p.m. Washington, Dec. 19. In the opinion of competent political observers at Washington, President Hoover has made his last wai debts revision gesture and the matter is now squarely before Mr. F. D. Roosevelt, either to accept the President’s offer of co-operation in the formation of a bipartisan semi-Congressional and diplomatic commission or, if he refuses, he must accept full responsibility himself after March 4. In his message to Congress to-day, which even the Democrats admitted is a broad-visioned, sound paper, Mr. Hoover took into full consideration the Congressional aversion to sanctioning a debt commission. At the same time he strongly reiterated his contention that the inatter is serious and requiring immediate attention. „ , , The general tenor of statements by Democratic leaders indicates that Mr. Roosevelt will decline to co-operate. Reports from Albany indicate that he still faVours negotiation through the existing diplomatic agencies and will take no responsibility before his inauguration. Thus Mr. Hoover must either on his personal initiative appoint a commission or withdraw from the matter. Which course he will take is problematical, but it is recognised it is very doubtful if Britain, for example, would wish to enter into negotiations with a commission whose authority automatically terminates scarcely more than two months hence. Mr. Hoover's method of linking debts to other phases of the world economic situation is generally approved in Congressional circles, where it is felt that the nation should receive some concessions in disarmament and trade in roturn for revision, but the Democrats feel that Mr. Roosevelt should assume no responsibility which might commit the party to a programme which later events might cause to be disapproved. They seem willing, though, to let Mr. Hoover form a commission to “explore” the situation, reserving the right to act on the suggestions as they see fit. Mr. Hoover’s mention of an examination of the debt obligations of those nations which “sought to pay’ ’is interpretated as meaning smaller nations such as Greece and Hungary, also France if she soon makes good her default. It is generally agreed that Britain would be the first to benefit from any re-exajnina- ' Press generally appproved the message, a number of newspapers emphasising the necessity for dealing with all international economic difficulties as well as debts. Many admit the difficulty of securing complete co-operation between Congress, Mr. Hoover and Mr. Roosevelt, but they view the President’s message as a step in the right direction. “CANCELLATION INEVITABLE.” OPINION OF MR. W. M. HUGHES. Rec. 9 p.m. . Sydney, Dec. 20. Mr.. W. M. Hughes, upon his return from England to-day, said no ™ & tt cr what shape the immediate result of default by France, Belgium and other nations might assume, cancellation of .war debts was inevitable. “I consider that in the face of the British Notes and* the attitude of the-de-faulting nations the United States will be compelled to review its position, said Mr. Hughes. \ HOOVER MESSAGE WELCOMED. ? ______ PRESS OPINION IN BRITAIN. Rec. 11.30 p.m. London, Dec. 30. President Hoover’s message to Congress is featured by all papers. The Daily Telegraph describes'it as remarkably bold and showing how the better mind of America has been working. “Mr. Hoover in this message, as in the previous one,” the paper says, “is shown as being completely cured of the delusion that his country is able to stand on its own feet in happy detachment from the troubles of the rest of the world.