Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-08
SAYS BRITAIN FOE
OF SILVER FARLEY
Senator Pittman, in China,
Charges Aim Is to Get
Debt Adjustment.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SHANGHAI, June 8.-Charges Great
Britain is opposing the calling OF an
international silver conference ema-
mated today from United States Sena-
ter Key Pittman of Nevada, who Thurs
day predicted that such a conference
would be held within three months.
Senator Pittman asserted the British
opposition was being used by the Lon
don government as a trading point"
by which Great Britain hoped she
might obtain readjustment Of her war
debts to the United States.
Sharply commenting on President
Hoovers recent telegram to Senator
Reed Smoot of Utah. in which the
President was reported as saying the
United States was willing TO participate
in an informal international silver con-
ference, but believed the present was
not opportune for a formal session,
Senator Pittman said:
1T is amazing that foreign influence
can be brought to bear on such high
American official circles"
Given Temporary Setback.
a representative of the Silver-producing
State of Nevada to study the admittedly
serious silver situation in China, said
President Hoover'S telegram to Senator
Smoot had been made public at a
''critical" moment.
He added that as result of the
Presidents message nations now were
heSitating to assume leadership in the
proposed formal conference, and for
hot
had received "a temporary setback
but not for long"
In a statement to the Associated
Press Senator Pittman said:
The informal conference on silver
suggested by Senator Smoot and APP
parently approved by President Hoover
is, in my opinion. futile move. I am
afraid it would be suspected by certain
governments most interested as a sub
terfuge. Such an informal conference,
not initiated by governments and for
which governments are not responsible,
will be but repetition of the two con-
ferences already held - namely, the
United States Chamber of Commerce
Conference on the subject, and, sec
ondly, the similar conference of :ne
international Chamber of Commerce.
mo more representative informal
conferences than these could be OBJ
AdAAlCd DULL
recommended the calling of a formal
conference by governments, such as the
London Conference for the Limitation
of ArmamentS.
Action Is Demanded.
The result of that conference was
a treaty signed by President Hoover
and the heads of other governments
and ratified by the United States and
other governments. This kind of a
conference got immediate action. That
is what is demanded by the silver sit
uation.
There was every indication that the
Chinese and Japanese governments
were seriously considering immediate
action relative to the calling of an in
ternational silver conference between
governments until Hoover'S telegram to
Senator Smoot discouraged such action
1T IS impossible to conceive in view
of all the circumstances, that the gov
ernments of China and Japan could be
satisfied with the holding of useless
informal conference. 1t might be de-
nominated silly if it were not tragic
1T is unfortunate the trading
schemes Of one government could be
permitted to block a conference of all
nations upon so vital a subject. I do
not believe it will be blocked for lclg :"