The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-12-31
War Debts and the Struggle
for Colonies

In the United States very little was said about
Senator Reeds thrust against the British colo
NAL holdings. But the British lion emitted
loud groWl, warning American imperialism that
colonial plumber is the spois OF war
The New York Times reported the Senate and
House discussion had the following effect par
tcularly Senator Reeds thrust:
Nevertheless, extracts from Senate and House
speeches cabled to London are not having the
best effect on Anglo-American relations and
their special Indignation at the speech OF Sem
ator Reed OF Pennsylvania, which drives the
London Times to an acid editorial retort'
This editorial OF the London Times said:
More Illuminating was the speech OF Senator
Reed, a leading Republican, distinguished law
yer and an experienced man Of affairs, who dis
missed is silly the idea that the payments OF
war debts could present any difficulty to coun-
try like Britain owning far-flung colonies hold
ing lands all around the circuit Of the globe,
with museums filled with art treasures worth
millions and millions
"He is apparently under the delusion that the
possession Of these things makes 1t easy to buy
American dollars with which to meet payments
in the United States, unless, indeed, the SUCCESS
ton that we might ship the National Gallery
and the British Museum to New York " salts
faction Of the claims OF the American treasury"
that Senator Reed, connoiseur Of art though he
may be, was particularly interested in the Brit
tsh Museum or the National Gallery with their
plundered art works. instead OF the boundless
sources OF these good things which the British
have held Tor so lopg-namely the rich colonies
Congressman McFadden drew up a more
specific bill Of particulars
In what was supposed to be debate with
Norman Thomas, Socialist leader, Congressman
McFadden went so far as to name the colonies
Wall Street desired, as first STEP from Britain
and France Thomas in the debate" supported
Hoover's stand (that Is, the specific program OF
Morgan 81 Company on the moratorium ques-
ton Thomas's only objection was that the
program of Morgan & Co. was such good thing
there should be more Of it.
McFadden demanded colonies and bluntly
said:
''May 1 suggest that it would be welcome
gesture Of intended friendship IL England
should offer TO transfer to the United States
In part payment Of her debt to us the colonial
possessions which wash our coasts from Flor
ida to Main. 80
THE territory Is extensive It comprises
some 400 islands and the mainland colonies
OF British Honduras In Central America and
British Guizns in South Amer.cs. The xrea
involved is some 10000 square MILES and the
population about 100000.
The possessions OF France In American
waters are less extensive than those Of Eng
land. but are important"
Colonies are not reshuffled in this way Tns
economic crisis in Britain, the financial de-
bacle, make the requirements FOR colonies
greater, not less. The colonies that McFadden
speaks Of situated adjacent TO the Panama
Canal constitute Great Britain's most powerful
military position for the penetration OF the
Latin American market. British imperialism Is
making furious attempt to maintain the valu-
able Latin American markets and colonies and
will not part with them except through war.
McFadden, demagogue that he Is, knows the
war debts In the present crisis are being revised
that the whole Versailles system Is on the verge
Of collapse. His talk about trading" colonies
for defmct war debts Is a means OF attempting
to arouse popular favor for Wall Streets colonial
ambitions. McFaddens argument is: what
could be fairer than this trader" Should the
stubborn British graspers refuse to relinquish
these colonies which wash our shores" then
they must be forced 10 do so by the might OF
srrns. BY such means are wars for colonial
pllrldee prepared.
Ia svexv psss 81 xns wsssA American lsvesass.