The New York herald., 1921-02-25
FOREIGN LOANS TO
BUY EMBASSIES
Provision for Credit Against
Purchase Price Is Made i'm
the Consular Bill.
Sl5O.000 LIMIT IS FIXED
President May Accept Uncon-
ditional Gifts of Sites or
Buildings.
SI5O,O0O LIMIT IS FIXED
Special Despatch 10 TIE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. G., Feb. "a.


Congress has given it's approval to
plans for obtaining homes for Ameri-
can Ambassadors, Ministers and Con-
suls in all the principal cities OF the
world.
The House to-day by vote of 204
to 121 approved amendments of the
Senate to the diplomatic and consular
appropriation bill for this purpose
cessful movement in Congress for the
purchase of homes for American diplo-
matte representatives so that men Of
moderate means would accept impor-
tant posts in the foreign service of the
country.
One Of the unique means for OBJ
tanning sites for American diplo-
matte buildings is a provision in the
appropriation bill that the United States
will deduct from the indebtedness of any
foreign nation the cost OF a site or
building. A fight was made on this
provision in the House to-day on the
grounds that such action would belit.le
shared by the majority. The belief was
that several Governments have land or
buildings which they would be willing
TO cede to the United states cor diplo-
matte building with the value Of the
same deducted from that country's in
debtedness The limit of value Of the
property which may be thus accepted
was fixed at s150,000.
The diplomatic and consular appro-
priation bill also carries a provision
giving 20 the President the right to ac-
cept Internationally gifts OF land. build
ings. furniture OF furnishings for the use
Of diplomatic and consular officers. This
would obviate the necessity of passing
legislation when an embassy residence
is offered the Government. A bill au-
thorizing the President to accept the
]. p. Morgan home. 10 and ~ Princes
Gate, London, as residence for the
American Ambassador. has been pend
ing in Congress for nearly three years
because the President had no authority
to receive it. Such acceptance is pro-
vided 81 the diplomatic and consular
Appropriation oil. while sl50.O0O is APP
propriated tor the purchase OF home
for tho Ambassador 20 France.
The House to-day agreed upon the
Senate amendment 10 the provision sc-
oepting the Morgan home, which reads :
Provided that the transfer of said
property to the United States shall be
unconditional and shall not impose re-
strictions upon subsequent sale transfer
OF use; and provided further that the
property is held on freehold tenure and
not on accustomary London ground lease
and that said property has no mortgage
or other encumbrance or liability on IT,"
The bill appropriates $500. 900 for the
cash purchases during the next fiscal
year Of diplomatic buildings and grounds
In fourteen cities other than London and
Paris. and then authorizes their acduisi-
eion either by cash purchase or by credit
on the foreign debt accounts with the
provision that no one property acquired
shall cost moro than $4,000.
The belief is that several properties TO
be acquired will be valued at considera-
bly, less than $4,000. The cities named
are Rome, Brussels. Berlin. Christians.
Athens. Belgrade. Bucharest, Prague.
Vienna, Budapest, Canton. Hankow and
Annoy. China, and Morovia. Liberia. The
United States, n was explained by Rep
resentative Rogers tMass) cannot pur-
chase ground In Japan. due 10 lave OF
that country, but has beer donated the
embassy there by the Japanese Govern
n,ent