Evening journal., 1920-12-13
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1920
KEEPING PuBLrc BUSINESS SECRET.

nELAWuAREANS who follow the drift Of national af-
~ fairs no doubt have noticed that II appears to be
quito impossible elicit from the Treasury Department
NIL Information regarding the huge debt OF siOooooo0oO
owed 10 The United States by foreign governments.
regarding the payment OF the interest and prnc
pal Of that obligation are every
taxpayer this country, but efforts to discover when
and in what amount those payments be made bring
replies that amount TO a curt refusal
on October 26 The Republican Publicity Association dl
rected letter to the Secretary Of the Treasury in which
reference made 10 earlier statement Of that Of
fetal that discussions progress with foreign
regarding the exchange OF the demand obiga-
held by This country for longtime obligations
temporary defeing OF the collection OF interest
thereon Then the following respectful question
asked;
II rs proper for you 10 do so will you inform us as
10 what stage those discussions have progressed
what form the obligations likely TO take, what
rate Of interest they will bear and when expect
allied governments To make their rs interest psymentsf
Four days later. although the letter ef inquiry
mailed within i've blocks OF the Treasury, the following
reply received:
letter OF 26th instant has been received
which you inquire concerning the exchange author
lied by the Liberty Acts OF the demand obligations
Of foreign governments. held by the United States for
longtime obligations. Negotiations regarding such
change have not been completed"
Il remained no New York World 70 publish a dis
negotiations had 10 complete standstih. because
OF certain stipustions which England insisted 81 oud b
Inserted IN the exchange agreement
Many times during me and throughout the peace
conference authoritative information OF what
pring could be obtained from Washington. and
nrst inmston OF the facts nom foreisn
The policy of seCret diplomacy appears to be still
In force.
March "a inst the Secretary the Treasury sent
letter 70 the senas giving NJ amount OF paid and
crued interest foreign bonds. The Association
again venured TO ask question referring TO the letter or
March a.
We wil highly appreciate II n you win furnish mis-
once with extension OF those figures up the end OF
the calendar year 1910 mat he total interest
December a. 0eo and the total interest payments up
70 that date
1t tho Treasury Department ten days to frame IN
following ropiy:
Il have the 10 Acknowledge the receipt OF your
letter of the 10th instant requesting certain information
IN connection with tho loans by the United State,
10 foreign governments Tho information which you 10
quest s In far II s available forth In tho Soc
reta7s Annual Report for the nscal year 1870 which
now on the press As the report available fo
distribution, copy will be scnt YOU"
Apparently this that information an 70 N,
nations finances must be sicencd from annual reports
and that after the report referred 10 distributed
will peryade the department for another yoar.
Fortunately. March Will tho Inauguration OF
government o. for and by ne peope placo OF a gov
ernment Of for and by ciostcrcd body Of Witt Hous
syoophants. who oso heir patience cvory mo an Ameri
taxpayer seeks 10 discover whether his countr
Is going to collect nooooooooo OF outstanding bills