Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-10
c. OF c. ADJOURNS,
LINKING WAR DEBTS
AND ARMS BUDGETS
Proof of Minimum Defense
Cost Required of Nations
Seeking Farley.
LINES UP WITH HOOVER
IN DISARMAMENT STAND
Victory for U. S. Seen in Action of
Congress on Three Most
Controversial Issues,

Standing on the principle that any
reconsideration of war debts should be
governed in the main by the extent to
which debtor nations limit their arms
expenditures, and pointing the way to
adjustment of differences over tariff
through use of "the machinery pro-
vided by some countries" the Interna-
tional Chamber of Commerce yesterday
concluded its sixth general congress
here.
Coupled with this declaration was a
call to countries of the world to press
their labors for disarmament. the cham
Der by this action lining up with Presi-
dent Hoover, who in opening the con-
gress Monday held out reduction in land
arms abroad as a necessary prelimi-
nary to economic recuperation.
Debts, tariff and arms, which con-
stituted the most controversial issues
before the gathering of 1000 business
men from 35 nations, were treated In
an omnibus resolution on which the
attention of the congress had been CEN
tered since the drafting started earlier
in the week.
Reflection Of u. S. Attitude.
AS the expression came from the
Resolutions Committee to get the In
dorsement of the congress, 1t was viewed
as q distinct victory for representatives
of this country in the chamber, as, IL
was stated. it was a clear-cut rejection
of the American attitude.
The resolution was offered by Georges
Theunis, former premier of Belgium,
nf t@n
and seconded by representatives OF
half dozen countries, including France,
Germany, Italy and the United States.
willis H. Booth, New York banker
and former president Of the chamber,
voiced unqualified support for the Amer
lean delegation.
Robert Mason of France, in urging
adoption. observed only that the Sec
ton on tariff might have gone further.
Adopted without Debate.
The resolution was thrown open for
discussion by Silas II. StTawn, presi.
dent of the Chamber of Commerce OF
the United States, who, rs chairman
of the American Committee, presided
at the sessici which wound up the
congress, aus taIere was no debate.
Leaders in the chamber had pre-
dicted that when the showdown came
there would be no difference OF opinion,
but in some quarters there had been
a feeling that because of the vigor
with which some delegates had eX-
pressed their views from time to time
on war debts and the American tarin
that they might take occasion to re-
emphasize them.
The chamber adjourned without tax
ing any action on the controversial
matter of Russian relations.
r. aF
speakers have touched on Russia, and
insisted that any cooperative action
for improving world conditions could
not ignore the land of the Soviet,
but in the end the issue was ignored
Action Taken ON Silver.
On silver, another subject OF de-
bate, the congress adopted resolu-
ton calling for a conference during
the current year "at which all in
terested parties may be heard" and
requested the several national COM
mittees 10 bring the matter to the
attention Of their respective govern
merts
Just before the debt-tariff resolution
came to the floor, the delegates lis
tened tc a radio address from Ber-
lin by Franz Won Mendelssohn, the in
coming president in which he urged
closer economic cooperation between
nations. and declared that there is no
method b. which economic vell-being
can be permanently isolated IN che
country"
Won Menoelssohn, banker and the
grandson OF the famed composer.
called attention in his speech 70 the
10000 900 unemployed in the world
and. apparently referring TO repara-
tions. said that 1.-THE well-being OF the
creditor is endangered when the debtor
is crushed under his burdens and when
political and economic conditions en-
danger productive work"
He also called on his associates TO
Edo everything to prevent this world
economic crisis from becoming a crisis
in the sensible international economic
convictions Of mankind
Stand at Rome Reiterated.
In enunciating its views on war debts
the chamber simply reiterated stand
taken at the Rome congress in 1928
when IL called for general economic
conference-a movement out OF which,
it is pointed out, came the Dawes plan.
The Rome declaration on debts said
Proper factor in any adjustment OF
such Indebtedness should be the pres
Continued on Page T. Column -
SIAMESE KING FACES