The Washington times., 1920-12-26
PAY BONUS IN
DEBT INTEREST
MCCLELLAN.
MCCLELLAN.
Give Yanks Cut of Billion Due
on Loans to Alleys,
~ Says Senator.
BY J. BART CAMPBELL.
International News Service.

Republican leaders of Congress re-
gard favorably the proposal of Sen
ator Mcclellan (Dem.) of Tennessee,
that the 81 200 600, 900 interest due
the American Government on loans
made to foreign nations be employed
to compensate American soldiers for
service in the world war.
1t is said we ought to cancel
Great Britain's debt because OF the
vast expense the war imposed on that
nation; that we ought to wipe out
the S4.250. 0O0, 900 Great Britain owes
us on the slate because she carried
on the financial burden OF the war
before we entered it.
Great Brit ain did everything pos
sible to get us into the war. She was
intensely DESTROYS of having our aid,
i do not criticize her for that, but
when she got us into 1t, she charged US
a very large price for our participa-
ton In the war, and she wanted to
charge us an even larger price than
we were willing to pay for the trans
portation of our soldiers overseas In
her vessels.
Great Britain charged US for every
ton OF freight carried by her for the
maintenance OF our armies. She
treated us in bushes way, and her
shipowners made enormous profit $
out of our participation in the war
When our troops landed in England
we paid for the land and camps they
occupied.
ASKS ACTION AT ONCE.
Mcclellan is insisting upon imme-
date action to compel Great Britain
and others of the European powers
the United States was assoC!ai d with
N he war to pay part 1T least the IN
terest due on approximately $4,000
100000 loaned to them by this
country.
Mcclellan has a resolution pending
ir the Senate which would require the
Eecretary of the Treasury to fund in
TO interest bearing bonds the interest
,ue, as soon as it can be collected
and the delivery OF these bonds to
american ex-service men.
"If this were done it would relieve
the Treasury OF the immense burden
which would be placed upon it If the
Senate were to pass the House bill for
a soldiers bonus. and the President
were to approve it," Mcclellan said.
ut would be only fair that at least
part of the money due us from foreign
governments should be paid to the
American soldiers who helped to fight
for and protect those governments in
the war.
DON'T CANCEL DEBTS.
"Insidious propaganda exists Tor
the cancellation Of the indebtedness
TO US Of these foreign governments
because we fought side by side with
them. Congress should not permit it.
self to be Influenced by such propa-
ganda If we are to provide
bonus for our ex-soldiers-and
think it is generally agreed by great
many of our people that we should
provide such a bonus-this is mani
testify fair way to provide 1T,
especially as we are to get no repara-
tions or indemnities from any of the
Central Powers.
STARTS TRADE WAR.
AS soon as the war was over,
Great Britain entered into a trade
and rate war with us. That war
il going on now, and 1t is evident
Great Britain intends, il possible, TO
compel our merchant marine, rs
world carrying merchant marine. to
leave the high seas.
And yet Great Britain is today
withholding from us S2OO,OO0O 900 she
owes us on her debt to us.
Another reason we should collect
what Great Britain owes us is her
attitude toward the world s OIL sup
ply She debars us. like all for
eisners, from owning or operating
oil-producing properties in the Brit
ish isles, colonies, and protectorates.
She controls the tremendous oil
fields of Persia. and will not permit
Americans to purchase oil lands.
Since the armistice she has denied
10 American vessels the right to OBJ
lain oil from British stations"