Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-02-09
ALLIES MUST PAY
ALL DEBTS TOU. S,
VIEW OF CONGRESS
Neither Lawmakers nor
Administration Favors
Cancellation.
WILLING TO ARRANGE
LONG PAYMENT TERM
1T Is Taxpayers Money" De-
!, clares Representative Fish,
of New York.
STORIES OF BREAK SECUTED
Differences Between This Country
and tho Debtor Nations Not
Considered Serious.
STORIES or BREAK SECUTED
Differences between This Country
and tho Debtor Nations Not
Considered Serious.
Bf JOHN GLEIssNER,
United News Stnn CorrcspoDtIeut

WASHINGToN. Feb. s.--Rcncwcd
agitation In Europe for cancellation
of debts owed this government by
her allies in the war has aroused
In Congress determination to OBJ
tain all Information available on for
cIGn obligations and the negotia-
tons that have been carried ON rela-
tive TO their payment
With these facts I'm hand. leaders
hope 10 sanction a method Of pay
Aicnt which will cause no embar-
rassment TO the debtor nations, but
which Will at the same time assure
10 America fair treatment. There IS
a desire TO remove the subject from
the realm OF speculation. for rea-
tons % financial policy, and because
p the obligations have become u source
Of International friction
There is no inclination. either on
the part OF members of Congress or
responsible persons In the admins
ration. TO cohfent to cancellation.
!. Sentiment rather favors n liberal, but
definitely gxcd. funding or extension.
Ssnntor RocI. Of Missouri. is push
ing his resolution. which would pre-
vent further extensions of credit
from the remaining authorizations OF
si5.ooo.0o0. Senator Walsh. OF Mnssa-
chusetts. VIII seek favorable action
on a resolution demanding full re-
port on al negotiations carried on
/ II. connection, with the foanH.
Houston Ncttcent on Details.
Secretary Houston. In executive
session With the Foreign Relations
Committee. Will reveal all facts bear
Ing on Inc situation. hut he is op-
posed TO revealing publicly the nego-
fiHtions that have been carried on.
Representative Hamilton Fish. who
introduced II resolution in the House
calling on the Secretary OF tho Treas
ury for complete information, be-
lIeyes publicity is desirable.
1T is the taxpayers money and
hey have u right to know what is
being done with it," Fish explained.
we must. adopt 4 definite financial
y policy. and TO do this. information
on these loans Is required The mat
ter has become financial. now that
the war is over. We have no facts
and no knowledge. The House is en-
titled TO know. because 1t is charged
with the duty of rdising revenue.
We ought to make known to the
world tina; We expect payment under
just terms. This would stop the con
tinual agitation in Europe. which is
not conducive 10 good relations. We
ought az well to stop further extern
sons of credit from unexpended bal
unces."
Would Take Equivalent Territory.
Fish said he believed overtures
!. should be made TO Great Britain for
the transfer OF possessions In the
West Indies in return for cancellation
Of part ot the debt. lie argued these
possessions are rightfuily within the
American sphere, and that no Iegit-
imate objections could be made to
their cession.
Administration officials were in
clined to view the debt discussions as
responsible to considerable extent
for n lack of cordiality apparent in
Anglo o-Amcrican relations. This fric-
ton was illustrated by the statements
OF spokesman OF the British For
eign Office to American correspond
eHts in London yesterday.
1t was said on high authority here
that relations between the two ma
tions at the present are not viewed as
approaching the point of rupture, and
the idea that such contingency
might arise was secuted Belief was
expressed that no matters now pend
ing are incapable OF amicable dipIo.
matte adjustment
Amazed Mt British Talk.
American officials were nonpiussed
at what II seemed might be a DELHI
: crate effort on the part of the British
Foreign Office to circulate the i'm
preston that relations between the
two nations are strained to far
greater degree than would appear
on the surface" Additional infcr-
nation from London added to their
ama2cmcnt. They professed TO have
no knowledge as to why tho situation
AT this particular moment should be
regarded as unduiy serious. No Of
fetal comment was to be obtained
for the present.
There is reason to believe the
/, American government may address
Inquiries TO it's diplomatic agents in
London, although admission OF this
fdct could net be obtained An adj
mission would be putting the Of
fetal stamp Of credence TO the seem
Ing effort Of Britain, to use the
American correspondents to inform
, this country that existing relations
are not as tree from tilsecrl as they
, should be. Tho concern manifested.
however. warrants the belief eXp!a-
..sdions may be sought fom Ambas-
.sador Davis. For the present, news
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