The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-01-09
British Ask
SquareDeal
WarDebt
British Chancellor of EA-
chequcr Tells L. S. Fund
ing Body England Not
Asking Favors.
Intend to Pay Last Cent

Washington. Jan. S.-Great Britain
wants a fair business settlement of
her $1,000 900 900 war debt to the
United States on such terms as Will
produce the least possible disturbance
In the trade relations of the two coun-
tries. Stanley Baldwin the British
chancellor OF the eXchequer, declared
today in an address before the joint
meeting of the British and American
commissions
we are not here to ask for favors
or to impose on generosity" said Mr..
Baldwin. I'VE want fdr business
settlement, square deal, a settle.
ment that viii secure for America the
0payment to the last cent of those
credits which the United States gov
ernment established in America Tor
Us ther associates in the war
Reply to Welcome.
Mr. Baldwin's address Was in reply
to one of welcome by Secretary Mel
lon, chairman of the American com.
mission who expressed particular ap-
probation of the courtesy of the Brit
ish government in having designated
as its delegates men so distinguished.
lie called attention that this was the
first time chancellor OF the cx.
chequer had left his country to par
ticipate in a mission of this character.
The treasury secretary assured the
British representatives. that the Amer
Jean commissioners were no less seu-
sible than themselves to the virtual
necessity Of effeeting a definite settle
mcnt upon a basis entirely just TO
both. He added that the prompt pay
mcnt by Great Britain of one $100,
600, 900 Of interest during the past
three months. pending a final arrange
ment Was to his mind conclusive proof
Of the right spirit OF financial IN.
tcsrity which he was proud to say had
always animated both of the two
great English speaking nations.
Approaches Problem.
The British chancellor in his reply
approached the problem i'll a broad
general way, declaring the settlement
would deteymine the material welfare
of the great mass OF wage earners III
Great Britain and the United States.
lie submitted extensive statistics as 10
financial conditions in Great Britain
and study of these figures was be-
gun Immediately by the American
.ammission.
rhe text of Mr.. Baldwin's address
follows:
"On behalf of the British delegation
| take this opportunity of expressing
h.
pie our heartfelt appreciation Of the
warmth and courtesy of our recep-
tion, a reception so characteristic of
the generous hospitality of this great
nation.
I'VE have come with the express in.
tention Of repaying our debt and it Is
owing to the practical difficulties of
making international payments that
We are about to consult with you In
order to accomplish the end which we
both have in view.
We met today under extraordinary
circumstances"
We are here to arrange the terms
or the payment of the British debt to
the United States. That debt was
contracted in a common cause.
1T was the first contribution made
by the United States to save civiliza-
ton from being engulfed and free
people being brought under the dc
structive rule of military autocracy.
1t was followed by the contribution OF
the man power Of the United States,
whose soldiers fought so gallantly
with ours and those OF our allies for
the same purpose.
A Common Cause.
Then we We're enlisted in a com.
mon cause; we still have common eco.
nomic interests The payment of our
debt TO you involves much more than
the transfer Of huge sums from Lon.
don to Washingtorr 1t must affect
the future we'll being of both coun-
tries, and on their prosperity depends
10 large extent that of the entire
world. Tho settlement We make here
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