The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-09
PARLEY WAR DEBT
British Plan Calling Refunding
Conference Now.
Discussion of Loans to Come
After Genoa Meeting.
ECONOMIC CONFERENCE PLANS
Failure of Italian Ministry Does
Not Hinder Meet.
Ex-Premier, Despite Resigna-
tiOn, Goes on With Program.
CONOMIC CONFERENCE PLANS

London, Feb. 9.-The British treas
ury has informed President Harding it
is considering the calling of an allied
conference to discuss war debt refund
ing, after the international economic
conference at Genoa is over, it was
learned from a reliable source this
afternoon.
Definite plans will be held up, how
eyed, pending the outcome of the
Genoa conference.
1t had been expected in some quar-
ters that the United States would par
ticipate in the Genoa conference and
would raise the question of war debt
payment in that meeting.
The British government, it is under
stood, had approached a number of
whether they would consent to serve
as delegates at the proposed debt re-
funding conference. Among them are
Reginald McKenna, chairman of the
London Joint City and Midland bank,
Ltd, Lord Chalmers. Sir Basil H.
Blackett, controller of finance at the
treasury, and Robedt Kindersly.
Now that the refunding debt bill
has been passed by both the American
house and senate, it is possible that
preliminary conversations of an in
formal nature may be opened with
time.
Harding Signs Funding Bill.
Washington, Feb. 9--The bill Great
ing a commission and otherwise max
ing provision for the conversion of the
eleven billion dollars debt owed the
United States by the allied powers was
signed today by President Harding.
The bill, which now becomes law,
authorizes the president to proceed to
- of dQhf
commission of five members, to ne
gotiate the terms under which the
United States will collect the $1,000
100000 owed this government by for
eign governments.
Name Commission Soon.
President Harding will announce
the personnel of the commission in
a few days, tho not until he transmits
the. conference treaties to the senate
It will consist of three cabinet mem
bers, Melton, Hoover and Weeks, and
two representative of congress. pro-
baby Senator McCumber of North
Dakota, chairman of the senate fl
nance committee, and Representative
Fordney of Michigan, chairman of the
house ways and means committee.
The terms of the bill stipu1ate that
the commission will not arrange set
tlement extending beyond twenty-five
years and it is expressly stipultSted
that the interest rate to be paid by
foreign governments shall not be less
than 4K per cent.
Genoa Plans Proceed.
(By the Associated Press.)
Genoa, Feb. 9.-Plans for opening
the international economic and finan'
ciaI conference are proceeding with
out interruption, the fall of the Bon
omi ministry having no effect on the
plans already started by the premier
Prefect Poggi is preparing accommo-
dations for about one thousand dele
gates and seven hundred newspaper
men.
Former Premier Bonomi, despite
his resignation, has not for a. moment
SUSPENDED his work, seeking to bring
the conference organization to perfec'
ton in readiness for his successor.
He has named Baron Avezzano, for
mer ambassador to the United States
as general secretary in charge OF al
1ncaI a IRA npementS for the meeting