Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-12-30
No SERIOUS MOVE
MADE: by FRANCE
TO PAY ON DEBT
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Especial Leased Wire to The Journal-Copy-
right, 1924


Especial Leased Wire to The Journal-Copy-
right, 1924
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-France
has no serious intention of paying
America In the immediate future
anything on war debts.
This fact more than anything
else is responsible for the series of
nixups and misunderstanding
which diplomacy is trying to iron
out as between the French govern
nnent and Washington.
Ambassador Jusserand, who is re-
firing soon with the best record of
friendship and personal popularity
that any envoy has enjoyed in a
generation, naturally wanted to do
something before he left to clear up
the only unsettled problem btween
France and the United States. The
Herriot government in Paris also
realized that it was long time since
France had sent M. Parmentier to
discuss the question of debts, and
that the United States couldn't play
the part of a pressing bill collector.
Congress had become FESTIVE, too,
and the French government decided
that discussion was at least sign
of good intent.
NJ. JusseraId took up the question
with the war debt commission Great.
ed by congress, and expressed to that
body in recent conferences substan-
italy the same view which he ex'
pounded in a speech last week. The
White House was asked by the cor
respondents for a comment on that
speech, and it was pointed out that
there could be comment only on
what was said to the funding COM
mission after the organization had
taken up the matter in due course.
No Rebuke Intended
The newspaper men drew the in
ference that a rebuke was being
given the French ambassador for
talking in public speeches instead OF
making an argument to the funding
commission. And when the press
reports gave the impression of a re-
Duke, the White House disclainled
such an intention. Indeed it was
discovered that the French ambassa-
dor had been saying the same.
things to the funding commission,
but whether the report of his con-
versations had been made to the
president by last Tuesday when the
stories of a reprimand were pub
lished is not yet clear.
The point, however, is immaterlal
because the president had no chance.
of course, Of Issuing a rebuke to
lan &C IA
is not being criticized here. for what
is known to be the policy of his gov
eminent.
The incident has simply accen.
tuated the fact that France Wants
moratorium and hopes later TO make
even better erms with the United
States than Great Britain do. The
American government is embarrassed
by the apparent unwillingness of
france to pay anything right away
and also by the knowledge that If
easy terms are granted to France,
Great Britain will promptly SIX for
a revision of the agreement she has
with the United States.
The contention is being repeatedly
made by France that owing to the
large sacrifices she lnada. OF blood
as well as treasure she should not
be expected to pay anything like the
terms America wants. Indeed, the
French have never counted the debt
to America as part of their budgcr
OF expenses and have made no pro-
vision either for interest or sinking
fund. This has not created a very
good impression in congress. Also
the international bankers VINO are
called upon to persuade the Ameri-
can investor from time to tine to
buy French government securities
are anxious to see the French placed
in the best light possible. The fune-
ing commission naturally expected
some concrete proposals from France
but 1t has become apparent that the
French ambassador only has the
power to discuss and create a favor
able sentiment If possible for a
moratorium or easier terms than
Great Britain secured.
France Summons" Creditor
The French viewpoint IS that
America was a belated participant
in the war and that none OF the al
lied an dassociated powers made
the sSlt rifice that France did, hence
the United States should make due
allowances. If Anne RIGA does. Their
the French would expect the Btitisn
to do likewise.
The French are talking about hav-
ing Secretary Mellon 60 to Europe
after congress adjourns in March
80 that they may explain to him
! first hand why they can't pay very
much. This suggestion is not MAX
Ing a hit just now, for the usual
custom is for the debtor to call on
the creditor. In France, however,
there is an objection to sending a
commission TO America unless it can
propose some sort of a settlement
that will be acceptable. And the
French themselves have not arrived
at the stage where they consider 1t
possible to make a tangible offer of
settlement.
So very little may be expected to
come of the recent conversations,
unless the French government finds
American public opinion growing
more assertive than it has been in
the past on the question Of early
. payments.