Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-11-21
Only Seven Countries Make
Advances Toward Re-
funding OMISSION.
TWENTY OWE U. S.
Seems Unlikely That America viii
BE Able to Collect Any Substantial
Amount in Near Future-England
and France Pay Part.

Washington, Nov. 2l-America's
chances for obtaining quick action
this winter on refunding of the debts
owed her by foreign countries, aggre-
eating over eleven billion dollars, ap-
peared DINNER here today as inquiry
revealed few countries have made any
actual move toward establishing con-
tact with the debt refunding commits
sion.
OF twenty nations, beneficiaries OF
the American treasury during the
war years, only seven, according TO
the records Of the commission have
made overtures looking toward re-
funding negotiations. These are Eng
land, France, Belgium, Jugoslavia,
Rumania, Italy and Poland.
The degree Of their responsiveness
20 American invitations to come and
talk it over" varies.
England has tentatively named a
commission to visit Washington and
talk refunding. but has recently paid
the Treasury $100,000,000 on account
If interest. The coming of her debt
mission was delayed by the British
political crisis but it is now expected
before Christmas.
France. during the past summer,
named a delegate, NJ. Jean Darmen-
tier. who conferred with the COM
mission for number of weeks. The
nature Of these conferences have al
ways been shrouded in secrecy. Par
mentier, however, was suddenly re-
called to his home country, leaving
behind. him unfinished business" and
the debt refunding commission has no
word Of his return.
France. which maintains that pay
ment OF her debt is out of the CUES
ton is nevertheless paying to tins
country approximately S2l, 100000 an
nuallv on account of interest on notes
given when she purchased vast stores
1f surplus war materials left IN there
by the American army.
Belgium has named a delegate 10
anpear before the commission, Baron
de Cartier, her ambassador TO TINS
country. De Cartier, however, has
not yet made no approach to the COM
mission to set a date for commencing
negotiations.
Jugoslavia has likewise appointed
her diplomatic representatives IN
Washington to negotiate refundlng.
Dr.. Pavisich, however, outside OF max
ing his appointment known to the COM
mission has made no definite over
lures for refunding the $5S,0OO,OOO IN
debtedness Of his country To the u
:.
Rumania has two delegates at pres
ent in Washington who are actively
engaged in conversations with the
debt refunding commission. 1t is
possible that the Rdmanian obliga-
ton will therefore be the first one
to pass the refu~l.ur stages.
Italy inquired his country last
summer when 81 Id send a re-
funding m.ssira le United States
informed her thaJ mission would be
received in October or later Since
that time, no further word has been
received. ,
Poland, with debt Of Sl53,0O0,O0O
and a currency quoted at 10000 marks
TO the dollar mas declared her willing
ness to enter negotiations for re-
funding her debt but has not follow
ed the matter up, pending final ad-
Indication of the amount she owes.
Cuba, occupies perhaps a unique
rosition among Che debtors in that
she has not broached refunding to this
country but regularly pays interest
on her $7,000,000 debt every six
months.
The belief is held here that the
procrastination of foreign countries
is occasioned by their inability to see
their way toward paying even If the
debts are refunded, but her cause IN
1919, they were all informed that this
country was willing OF declare three
year moratorium on payments send
ing refunding arrangements. if the
countries would Immediately enter
such negotiations.