The Omaha morning bee., 1925-02-09
France Has.
Churchill
Debt Note
British Chancellor Outlines
Terms for Payment of
French Obligation 10
Nation He Represents.
Fixed Annual Payments

London. Feb. s.-Great Britain's
note TO France explaining the Bald
win governments viewpoint on the
question of the repayment of Frances
debt to Great Britain proves to be
much ahorter document than had orig
inally been expected. It lays down
succinctly 1.-THE principles on which
Great Britain hopes France will
agree to meet her obligations without
going into details or figures. The
idea is advanced that details may be
threshed out in conference here
should Premier Herriot or Finance
Minister Clementel or both, come TO
London for this purpose.
Apparently when The British draft
note was under consideration In the
British cabinet 1t was found difficult
20 arrive at an agreement on many
details, and hence it was decided TO
eonfine the note To broad principles.
The main points of the note are:
First. that Great Britain declines to
agree that Frances payments should
he dependent upon Germany's full
payment of the Dawes plan annui-
ties.
Accept FIXED Payments.
Second. that. with n view To facin-
tating repayments. Great Britain Is
willing 10 accept fixed annual pay
ments, irrespective of the Dawes pro-
ceeds. with a further annual charge
on the French share I'm those pro-
eeeds. and. third, that Great Britain
will devote any surplus beyond re
quirements for her American indebt.
edness TO diminish the burdens upon
Great Britains allies.
The note was published Just in
time to be discussed by parliament
which will reassemble next Tuesday
for the first real legislative session
of Premier Baldwins second admin
istration--the short session before
Christmas having been a mere pre-
lude 10 swear in members elect and
to hear the king speech.
The session beginning next Tues
day which will open without any
special ceremonies. should prove of
absorbing interest. both IN the home
and the foreign field. Up to Easter
tide, however, the center or the stage
viii he held Is the conservative
partys newest recruit. Winston Spen-
Ger Churrhiil. chancellor Of the ex-
chequeg for during this period there
Will he little time to debate anything
except the nations finances. includ-
| ing the question Of the French debt.
Debate Expected.
There is little doubt the opposition
Will provide debate on Churchill :
note to NJ. Clementel and 1t Is not un-
likely that the chief point of the at
tack will be that. under the stipula-
ton that the French repayments can
not be dependent upon a fun weld OF
the Dawes plan. France would. in the
event Of a German default. find her
self in the position Of paying repara-
tions 10 Great Britain.
The attitude hitherto has been thai
France can only pay either Great
Britain or the United states II she
gets renarations from Germany and
this attitude probably will find
deal OF support among the liberal and
labor members Of the house of com
mons.
Should the hoped-for conference in
London materialize, II probably will
he found that. Chancellor Churchill
advisedly omitted details from his
note 10 France in order TO give an
open field for negotiations. As chan
eellor OF the exeheauer. Churchhl is
,r. 20 p,ge Thre, Coiumn Four.D