The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-22
u. S. FIRST IS
CRY AGAINST
DEBT HOLIDAY
New Wave of NationaIiSm
Floods Country Wiping
Out Party Lines.
B0RAH GAINS SUPPORT
Grudging Consent to Year
Moratorium Seen Only
LenlenCy to Europe.
BY RAY TUCKER
Times stan COrreSpondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. pa res
Surgence of the same strong ma
tionahstic spirit which defeated the
League of Nations and elected War
rem G. Harding by 100000 votes
has developed in congress as an an
swer to President Hoover's request
for reconsideration of World war
debts.
1t has spilled over party lines,
embracing regular, administration
Republicans and Democrats who
once supported Woodrow Wilson in
his international program. 1t has
been accentuated by a similar feel
ing shown in thousands of letters
and kilograms reaching Capitol
Hill from constituents back home.
and by testimony of the interna-
tional bankers before the senate
finance committee.
Already there are predictions that
the only move in the direction Of
further leniency toward Europe or
cooperation in international mat
ters will be grudging approval Of
the one-year moratorium.
Because of 1920 Lesson
Curiously, Democrats have been
quick to assume the role of ma
tionalistS, partly because of the les
son they learned in 1920. The Re-
publicanS, on the other hand, are
resisting any effort by the White
House which the public may regard
as directing the CT. o. P. into the
WilSonian path.
AS result, the administration
and treasury spokesman are saying
little about the more far-reaching
plan for recreation of the World
war debt commission.
This development has followed a
summer in which international di-
plomacy had entered new and
more personal chanel than ever be-
fore. Foreign diplomats spent DAYS
IN the United States trying to get
a clearer understanding of the
American attitude toward Europe's
troubles.
Henry L. Stimson, secretary of
state, returned from a trip abroad
With confidence that these ex-
changes would bring peoples and
governments closer together.
Had Opposite Effect
If anything, the Laval and Grand,
visits had the opposite effect. Mem
bers Of congress came back to WASH
lngton with reawakened curiosity as
to what agreements, if any, had been
made. When the President pro-
posed further revision of the debts.
they attributed it to these diplomatic
ventures. The administrators han
ding of the Manchurian crisis also
convinced many that the wisest
course is to let other nations handle
their problems.
The most popular comment on
Capitol Hill, with respect to for
elgn affairs, is to let Euroue take
care Of itself. Even those who will
look for improvement share the
view OF Senator William E. Borah
(Rep., Ida), chairman of foreign
relations committee, that Europe
must reform, politically and finan-
clally, before it can ask any fur
Their relief.
The testimony of the two New
York bankers-Thomas w. Lamont
OF j. P. Morgan & Co. and Charles
E. Mitchell of the National Citv
bank-has not helped matters La
monts disclosure that the investing
public rather than the banks "hold
the bag" on European investments.
has caused criticism.
Points Out Path
Mltchell'S declaration that the
youth Of Germany will rebel against
continued payment of reparations
was regarded as pointing out the
path which European debtors
should take.
AS a result, the movement for in
ternational cooperation has been
given several setbacks. The world
court pact has been shelved. and
leaders Of both parties agree it is
dead for this session, at least. Re-
vision or cancellation &C the debts
is buried so deep Angel Gabrieps
trumpet can not resurrect it." ac-
cording to Borah.
There is skepticism toward any
real reduction Of arms at the &C.
neva parley in February, much
big navy talk and an insistence
that domestic problems be met be-
fore thinking of Europe's difficult
ties. The demand that Stimson
turn over to Borah's committee all
the papers dealing with the Sino-
japanese controversy is further evil
dence Of the new nationalisms
rampant on Capitol Hill.