The Omaha morning bee., 1925-01-01
Doubt on French
Debt Is Relieved
by Myron Herrick
Washington Officials Refuse
10 Comment on Statement
Made by Minister of
Finance in Paris.

Washington, Dec. 31.-The Wash
lngton government was In possession
tonight of official information trans
mitted by Ambassador Herrick in
Paris after mis- conversations with
Premier Herriot and NJ. Clementei,
French finance minister. which obvi-
ously removed much of the uncer-
tainty that has characterized discus
sions of the F'ranco-Am@ican war
debt.
Ambassador Herrick's report eased
tension in quarters where debt IN
terest predominated, but from none
of the administration officials was
any word forthcoming concerning the
contents of the Paris cables, nor
would State department officers ad-
nit even the receipt of such reports
Injuries there were met with fiat
statements that the subject of Her
ricks report was not one that could
be commented upon.
CIementeI Statement.
Unofficial advlces from Paris reeit-
ing the statement OF NJ Clementel to
Ambassador Herrick in which the
French minister recognized the obli-
cation Of his government to the Unit
ed States and declared its intention to
honor the debt, were received by ad
ministration leaders with no little
satisfaction. The statement that Am
bassador Ierrick had transmitted NJ.
Clementels remarks 10 Secretary
Hughes. however. produced only
reiteratlon OF the departments deci-
sion mot to comment.
Officials who took occasion to talk
at length on the French debt ques'
tlon at the time of the publication In
France Of NJ. Clementel's balance
sheet which omitted reference to
money owed the United States. re-
mained silent today. There was no
word forthcoming either to disprove
receipt of such Information from Her.
rick or 10 admit the arrival here OF
the ambassadors dispatches.
Officials Noncommittal.
Much of the same attitude marked
the action Of officials here respecting
reports of the arrival in New York
last night OF Montagu Collett Nor
man, governor Of the Bank OF Eng
land and Sir Allen Garrett Ander-
son. a director of the same institu-
ton At all important offices in the
Treasury and State departments and
even at the British embassy 1t was
said merely that nothing was known
regarding the mission OF the distin-
guishcd financiers to this country.
Treasury officials admitted only
that they had received word of the
visit when Governor Strong Of the
New York federal reserve bank re-
quested that the department extend
customary courtcsies Of the Now York
port to Norman and Anderson when
they arrived. Secretary Mellon, n
friend OF Norman for years, did not
know officially Of his presence in
this country, nor did Secretary
Hughes.
mot Hunting Grouse"
One OF the officials. discussing the
visit OF the British financiers, said 1t
appeared to him personally that they
| had not left the Bank OF England at
this time TO come grouse shooting.
here. II was more likely, It was
said. that Norman and his friend, NJ
fiscal officers Of Great Britain. had
keen interest In the question OF war
debts between the United states,
France and England, the matter OF
claims collections from Germany by
the United States. which already has
been the subject OF note exchanges
between London md Washington. II
also WAS suggested the fjhancierr
might be interested I'm thel attitude
Of tho United states on qugstions to
come UP for discussion January 8
before the allied finance minister's In
Paris