The Washington times., 1920-06-25
A[L|ESWOU[D
FORGET DEBTS
''AII Around Cancellation Of
War Loans Considered
BY Premiers.
BY FLOYD MACGRIFF.
International News Service.

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LONDON, June 25.-Aithough Pre-
mier Lloyd George declared that
Great Britain has not the slightest
intention OF repudiating any war
debts. 1t was admitted in other quar-
ters today that such proposal has
been under consideration by the Al
lies.
Cancellation OF all allied war debts
has been considered. but no proposal
has been formulated and no decision
has been reached" said Sir William
Sutherland, Junior lord Of the treas
ury.
Lord Riddell, British press repre-
sentative at the peace conference, un-
derstands that the allies already have
made representations to the United
States for cancellation of war debts
His statement follows:
AT the first conference OF the
Anglo-French premiers, at Hythe, .
communiQue was issued which implied
that Great Britain would accept pay
ment on her debt from France in pro-
portion as France received indemnity
from Germany.
AT the Boulogne conference this
week 1t was stated that this arrange
ment had proved impracticable, owing
to the absence of any similar agree
ment regarding debts due to the
United States from Great Britain. md
debts due to, Great Britain from Italy
and other countries.
WANT q. 3. TO HOLD BAG.
Premier Lloyd George was asked
whether Great Britain Is prepared 70
cancel the war debts owed to her by
France and other allied countries II
the United States would annul an
equivalent amount of the debt owed
to her by Great Britain. and the pre-
mier replied in the affirmative.
at In understood that proposals.
have already been made or will be
made by the Allies to the United
States On this basis with = view to
relieving the civilized world from the
Incubus OF international debts which
are impeding commercial rehabflfta-
tiOn In all cOuntries.-
The revelation that the Allies were
a proposal to ALLEVIATE all
war debts was made by "Pertinar."
the political editor of the Echo de
Paris and the best informed writer on
political matters in Europe. He said
that the proposal might be made by
Great Britain at the Brussels confer
ence next month. France, Italy and
the other countries owing large sums
are in favor of it.
When Premier Lloyd George was
asked as to the truth of "Pertinaxs
he said:
~Great Britain has not the slightest
intention of repudiating any war
debts. In fact she fs now preparing
to repay what she owes the United
States"
The premier's statmeent was back
ed up by Basil Blackett, controller of
the British treasury.
The story that England may pro-
pose the reputation of the allies
war debts is not true, and is at vari-
ance with both facts and our in
tentions," said Sir Basil.
From a source close to Premier
Lloyd George IL II learned that Great
while willing to repudiate
war debts owed to her pro rata with
q similar cancellation by the United
states of money owed by Great Brit
ain to America, the British govern
mcnt refuses to make the definite rec
quest to Washington.
OWES AMERICA BILLION POUNDS.
1t is declared that even should the
United States agree to annul a suf-
fcient amount of the money owed to
her by England to cover the European
by Great Britain, the
British tax payers would still be sad
died with an extra burden of 75O,-
600, 900 pounds stirling. England
owes the United states 1000 ,OOO, 1000
pounds altogether.
IL In recognized here that scam
all around" would mean that
the American tax payers would be
chilled upon to pay one billion pounds
(s3,s7O, ,OOO,OOO mt today's rate of ex-
chnnge), while the British tax payers
would be called upon to meet 75O,-
OOO.OOO pounds R2,877 100000 mt to-
days exchange rate).