The Washington times., 1921-02-12
SENATORO.K.' s
HEARST 'SSU|T
Believes Action Will Help to
Acquaint People With
Facts in Case.
LONDON'S ADVANCES. Barred
Treasurer Tells of Efforts by
England to Have Debts
Cancelled.
-OND0N'S ADVANCES. Barred

SeHdlOT DOTdH, fepuOllcan, OF
Idaho, struck hard today at the re-
fusal of Secretary of the Treasury
Houston to reveal publicly the status
Of foreign loans, credits, and other
commitments entered into by his
administration of the Treasury De-
partment
Houston was closely questioned by
Borah and other members of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
when he appeared before them today
in legislative session regarding the
facts set forth in the bill of par
ticulars filed by William Randolph
Hearst. newspaper publisher. in his
suit to restrain the Secretary of the
Treasury from parceling out more
money or credits among foreign ma
tions. especially France, Italy,
Greece, Czecho-Slovakia, and Liberia.
OPPOSES FURTHER LOANS.
II am certainly opposed TO the Sec
retary of the Treasury being allowed
to make any further advances to any
foreign nations" Senator Borah said.
In expressing unanalified approval Of
Mr.. Hearst's action.
~ endorse the comnrondabIe efforts
,of publie-sPirited- American citizen
to prevent Mr.. Houston from con-
tinuing his present policy with
respect to foreign loans. credits. or
other commitments Senator Borah
continued. "Mr. Hearst's action.
hope. will help us to obtain more
light on the whole subject OF our war
, loans. on which the Treasury De
partment has seemed unusually and
unduly secretive.
THE people are entitled to a full
accounting of what has been done
with the money they so generously
gave to win the war and especially
with that part of II which was lent
to our allies and what arrangements
they have made to pay il back now
that hostilities are over. These are
matters that should not be concealed.
On the contrary. they should be ac-
corded full publicity"
BAREs BRITISH EFFORTS.
Repeated efforts by the British Gov
ernment to have the United states
Government agree to cancellation or
made by this country to the British
were revealed by Secretary Houston
at the protracted executive sessi0m,
Houston was understoOd to have de-
scribed In detail several successive and
distinctive moves by the British Cow
ernment to persuade him and other
officials OF the United States Govern
ment not to press payment OF either
the interest or principal due on the
tremendous sums Great BS,tain stili
owes this country.
In each instance. Houston said. he
had firmly but politely informed the
British they were and would be ex-
pected to pay up, and he, as Secretary
OF the Treasury, could and would not
take any steps toward complying with
the British requests for a cancella-
ton or remission of Great Britain's
Indebtedness to this country.
HITCHCOCK IMPRESSED.
Senator Hitchcock. Democrat, OF Ne
braska, when he emerged from the
secret session before II ended, said
he had been "favorably Impressed" by
Houston's explanation OF how he had
denied Great Britain's continued and
insistent demands.
"Mt. Houston told ms he Informed
the British government II wsuld have
to pay up,- Hitchcock added. II con-
slider his handling OF the mstter as
very satisfactory +
SUIT CAUSES STIR
Mr.. Hearst's suit against the Secre-
tary of the Treasury caused a stir In
Government circles today.
The papers in the case were served
upon Secretary Houston late yester-
day afternoon, just before he left the
Treasury building. E.
The policy adopted by the officials
OF the Treasury Department. pre-
sumably at the suggestion of the Sec
retary, not to talk OF the suit or the
things which led up to II. was rieidly
adhe cred to today.
or course, they believe that the Sec
retary was within the law in advanc-
ing the money to the representatives
OF the foreign governments. otherwise
he would have not done II. they argue.
Persons who have talked with Of
f,cials OF the Treasury Department
say that II ls maintained that II
would be the height of folly at this
stage OF International affairs to dis
regard our obligations when there
is strong tendency among some
foreign governments to disregard
their financial obligations.
In the case OF the kercnsky gov
eminent. which MIR. Hearst charges
has since the overthrow OF the re-
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