Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-10-10
BURTON OPPOSES
CANCELING c ANY
PA ART Of DEBTS
0W { D BY ALLIES
Member of Commission
Makes Strong DecIara-
ton Against Reducing the
Sum Europe Owes u, S,
VOICES OPINION OF
AMERICAN DELEGATES
Also Declares Against Any
Further National Loans
Abroad; Not Impressed
by the Nations League,

Washington, Oct. "a strong
declaration was made today by
Representative Theodore u. Bur
ton, republican, Ohio. member OF
the allied debt commission, against
any cancellation OF the debts OF
Euro IN nations to the United
States. His statement to this effect
made unanimous the opinion on the
question OF all American delegates
to the parliamentary union
conference at Vienna, a number of
senators who with Representative
Burton, toured Europe and confer
red with leading statesmen and
publicists having previously de-
clared that allied debts should not
be remitted.
Confcrs with Harding
Representative Burton conferred
with President Harding today and
after campaigning in Ohio, will re-
turn here for the meeting this
month of the allied debt commits
sion with Great Britain's finan
cial representatives.
There are many reasons why
the allied debts should not be can
celled," said Representative Bur
ton. First, they are binding obli-
cations, national debt, and their
cancellation would throw doubt on
national credit. which is an all-im-
portant part of all commercial and
Industrial relations.
Second, these loans were not
made from an abounding revenue
but were obtained by borrowing
from our people with no small diff
ficulty and with a great deal OF sac
rifice. There was no thought at
the time that they should not he
repaid and indeed, the law under
which our people took our bonds
provided for their exchange in
kind.
Third. the United States Is sim
cerely interested in world peace. II
these debts were cancelled, it would
lead to an expansion of the mill
tary and naval establishments OF
other countries and thereby bring
%, threat OF war and all the waste
IT entails.
"Fourth, proportionately, the IN
crease in the debt of the United
states as result of the war IS
greater than that of the borrowers
The increase in taxation also Is pro-
portionately greater.
Further, while we recognize this
wonderful sacrifice made by the
allies during the war, their danger
was more imminent and We have
gained no territory and are not eH'
pecting any large indemnities. Tht
general feeling abroad Il that these
debts ought to be paid"
Favors Private Credits
Mr.. Burton also declared against
any further national loans abroad,
adding that private credits Tor
American raw materials might ano
should he arranged, but that ths
United States treasury should moi
be called upon again to aid any for
eign country except possibly FOR
human relief
He did not appear TO be Inn
pressed by the league OF nations
several of whose meetings at Ge-
neva he attended.
at semed like big debating So
ciety," he said declaring that q
number of irrelevant and academic
Questions seemed to be receiving
undue attention. There was little
probability now as ever. he added,
that the United States would be-
come a member of the league, hut
he expressed the belief that the
United States should have repre-
sentation on world court witt
limited jurisdiction and one not un-
der control OF the league. An effort
is being made, he said To detach
the present international court
from the league.