The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-05-14
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StrikeW&fInag
Belgium Claims Agreement
Made With President Will
son Releases Nation From
Payment of War Debt.
Other Powers Also Balk


Washington. May 13.-Discussion of
the Franco-Belgian suggestion in con-
nection with the reparations dispute,
for cancellation Of their debts to the
United States, disclosed that Belgium
has refused from the outset even to
consider a settlement. on the claim
that the agreement made with former
President Wilson at Paris releases it
from payment.
France likewise has not been
budged from its attitude of last year.
when NJ. Parmentier came to Wash
ington and Informed the world war
debt funding commission that the
French government would not enter
into a funding arrangement on any
terms at that time and would not
set date when it would be willing
to talk settlement.
Roumania is a third one of the
debtor governments. it is now learned,
that has announced to the American
commission its intention to ignore In
definitely its war debt. The excuse
offered in this case is inability to pay
ing negotiations, therefore, came to
naught.
Four Cornered Agreement.
The agreement with former Presi-
dent Wilson on which Belgium now
is relying. was four -cornered affair
formulated outside the Versailles
treaty. with France and Great Britain
also participating.
President Wilson transmitted 1t to
congress for ratification on February
%, 1921. just before his retirement
from the White House. 1t was in
the form OF a letter to the Belgian
premier. NJ. Hymans, signed by Mr..
Wilson and Premiers Clemenceau of
France and Lloyd George OF Great
Britain.
The matter was referred to the
senate finance and house ways and
means committees. without discussion
and has slept there since. President
Harding did not renew the recon-
mendation Of his predecessor that
the proposition be approved by con-
gress.
Belgian Debt $3.50. 1000. 900.
The amount OF Belgium's debt to the
United States up to the armistice. ac-
eording to President Wilson's mes
sage. was s171, 1885, 900. Loans made
after November IL. 1918. and accrued
interest since April Is. 1919. the last
date on which any interest was paid
and that out OF fresh loan for the
purpose-have brought the Belgian
obligation up to $3.50. 100000
But the Belgian government. 1t was
said, has steadfastly declined to enter
into a discussion of settlement OF the
post armistice part Of the debt unless
and until the American funding com.
mission provides for carrying out the
Wilson agreement.
The commission has pointed out. in
reply. that the president was without
authority to commit the United States
TO the agreement without con-
gressional sanction. The agreement
itself merely was that acceptance of
German reparatlon bonds in payment
OF the Belgian debt up to November
Il. 1918, would be recommended to
the respective governments.
Claim Without Foundation.
The American commission is un-
derstood, moreover. to have emphat-
icaly reminded Belgium that II un-
doubtedly was fully aware OF this sit
uation and its claim for a release
from payment, therefore. was without
foundation.
Belgium has done nothing since this
announcement. and the matter has
been at an impasse for several
months.
Frances debt with accrued interest
now is nearly 81 900 900. 900. Ronmania
owes, In principal and interest, ap-
proximately 100000. Like Bel
gium, neither France nor Roumania
has paid any interest since April 15.
1919. when fresh loans were obtained
to meet the semiannual installment
then falling due.
Interest payments on all the war
debts were deferred by the United
States for three years from April Is,
1919, but since this moratorium ex-
pired. more than a year ago, these
powers have made no move towards
meeting their obligations.
Members OF the funding commission
frankly are puzzled as TO what course
of action should be pursued.