ECHO OF BRUSSELS CONFERENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20892, 23 November 1937, Page 7

ECHO OF BRUSSELS CONFERENCE

BITTER WORDS IN UNITED STATES

UNFAVOURABLE MOVE FEARED

CRITICISM OF DEBT DEFAULTERS

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright

(Received November 22, 9.25 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 21.

Congressional resentment concerning the Brussels Conference development has reached a new crescendo, with attacks against the war debt defaulters, demands for the recall of the United States delegates, and the enactment of more stringent neutrality legislation, says the United Press correspondent. Senator Lewis demanded that President Roosevelt recall Mr Norman Davis and his associates from Brussels, in order to avoid blame for the failure of the Conference. Senator Lewis made the charge that the Conference had put the United States in a position of assailing Japan, Germany and Italy, instead of enforcing the Nine Power Treaty. He warned that the failure of President Roosevelt to Invoke the neutrality law may lead to the brink of war. “Japan might seize one of our ships, carrying supplies to China," he said, “and that would plunge us into a conflict that we are seeking to avoid.” Senator W. H. Borah opposed cancellation .of debts. He charged the debtor nations with coasting along in the hope that the United States would forgive and forget. “I am certain if the United States insist they would pay, perhaps not in full, but substantial amounts,” added Mr Borah. “It should be remembered that these debts are a settlement ranging from 28 to 72 cents on the dollar, and it would be unfair to the taxpayer to make a further cut.” Senator Nye has called a meeting of the Senate neutrality bloc, to consider a resolution recognising a state of war between China and Japan, in an attempt to force President Roosevelt to invoke the act as a preliminary to an effort to enact the mandatory neutrality law revoking the discretionary powers of the President.