Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-11-21
WAR DEBT NOT
WORRYING some
Few Countries Take Definite
Steps to Refund u. S.
Loaned Money
SEVERAL PAY ON
INTEREST ACCOUNT
BY WILLIAM j. LosH.

(United Press Staff Correspondent
Copyright 1922. by United Press.
WASHINGTON. Nov 21.-Ameri-
cas- chances for obtaining quick &C
ton his winter on refunding of the
debts owed her by foreign countries
eggregating over eleven billion dol
lars. appeared DINNER here today as
inquiry revealed that few countries
have made any actual moves toward
establishing contact with the debt
refunding commission. .-----
OF twenty nations beneficisries Of
the American treasury during the
war years. only seven, according to
records of the commission. have
made .overtures looking toward re-
funding negotiations.
These are England, France. Boil
GUM, Jugo-slavis. Runania. Italy
and Poland.
The degree OF responsiveness to
American invitations 20 come and
talk It over" varies.
The belief IL held here that the
OF foreign countries
is occssioned not only by their in
ability TO see their way toward pay
ing even if the debts are refunded.
but because in 1919 they were all
Informed that this country was
willing to declare a three-year NOR
atorium on payments pending re
funding arrangements II the coun-
tries would imme distely enter such
negotiations.
The proposal was never acceeded
TO. but the impression apparently
prevailed that the three-year mora
torlum nevertheless remained valid |
This expired In April of this year.
England has tentatively named a
TO visit Washington and |
ak refunding. but has recently /
paid the Treasury S10O, OO0,O 900 on
account OF interest. The coming of |
he debt mission was delayed by
he British political crisis. but II is
low expected before Christmas.
France, during the past summer.
famed NJ. Jean Parmentier. who 4
conferred with the commission for
. number OF weeks The nature OF
hese conferences has always been
hrouded In secrecy. Parmentier,
However, was suddenly recalled to
lis home country, leaving behind
i'm diminished business" and the
ebt refunding commission has no
yord OF his return.
France, which maintains that
ayment OF her debt Is out OF the
uestion, IS nevertheless paying to
his country Approximately S21.00O,-
90 annually on account OF interest
IN notes given at the time she pur-
hased vast stores OF surplus war
materials left in France by the
american army.
Belgium has named a delegate TO
appear before the commission, Bar
on De Cartier. her ambassador to
his country, De Cartier however
mas yet made no approach to the
90 set a date for com
negotiations. Jugo Slav1a
las likewise appointed her diplo-
matte representatives in Washing
on TO negotiate refunding. DIT.
,arter. however, outside OF making
IFS appointment known TO the COM
mission, has made no definite over
ures for refunding the s5S,oOO.OOo
Indebtedness Of his country to the
rnlted states.
Rumania has two delegates at
resent in Washington who are ac-
vely engaged in conversations with
he debt refunding commission. II
, possible that the Rumanian obli-
alton will therefore be the first .
ne to pass through the refunding
.ages.
Italy inquired Of this country last
1mmer when she could send re-
inding mission. The United States
formed her that a mission would
E received in october or later. Since
rat time no further word has been Z
,ceived.
Poland. with a debt OF s15s,00O,-
70, and a currency quoted at $4,000 !
arks to the dollar, has declared her s
nlngness TO enter negotiations for I
funding her debt but has not fol- {
wed the matter UP pending tinal !