Evening star., 1931-12-10
Seeks Revival of
Settlements
Commission.
ACTION ASKED
In FIVE DAYS
Message Expresses
Hope for Peace
in Far East.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Declaring the debtor nations
cannot pay, President Hoover to-
2 day proposed to Congress a re-
creation of the World War For
eign Debt Commission.
In a special message to both
Senate and House, dealing with
foreign relations, the Chief Execu-
tive bluntly warned that owing to
economic conditions some of the
foreign debtors of this country
will be unable to meet their pay
ments, even after expiration of
the Hoover intergovernmental
debt moratorium, year of grace.
It is because of this uncertain
ty that the President proposes es-
tablishment again of the World
War Foreign Debt Commission, so
Congress may share with the Ex-
ecutive in the consideration of the
problems that may arise.
Speedy Action Asked.
The President, at the outset of
his message, which deals thor
oughly with the conduct of for
eign relations by this Government
during the last year, asked legiS-
lative sanction for the Hoover
debt moratorium within five days,
since the next payments from
Abroad fall due on December Is
Ee continued:
"As we approach the new year
It is clear that a number of the
{ sTernnc.lts indebted to us viii
Re unable to meet further pay
ments to us In full pending recov-i
cry In their economic life. 1t isI
Useless to blind ourselves to an
c5vious fact. Therefore, 1t will be
necessary In some cases to make
still further temporary adjust
nients.
THE Congress has shared with
the Executive in the past the
consideration of questions arising
from these debts I am sure that
it will commend itself to Congress,
that the legislative branch OF the
Government should continue TO
share this responsibility. In order
that we should be In q posi-
ton to deal with the situation, I
recommend the recreation of the
World War Foreign Debt Commis-
sion, with authority to examine
such problems as may arise In
connection with these debts DUR
ing the present economic emer-
gency, and to report to Congress
its conclusions and recommenda-
tions."
Handled Settlements in Effect.
The first five members of the
commission were Secretary Mel
lon, chairman, and the then Sec
retary Hughes of the State De-
partment, the then Secretary
Hoover of the Department OF
Commerce, Senator Smoot of
Utah, and the late Senator Bur-
ton of Ohio. When the act was
amended in 1928, Senator Carter
Glass of Virginia and Representa-
tives Crisp of Georgia and Olney
of Massachusetts, were appointed
as the three Democratic members.
Senator Glass declined and for
mer Senator Simmons of North
Carolina was appointed in his
place.
This commission handled the
settlements of the foreign debts
later approved by Congress and
now in effect.
The Manchurian situation and dis
armament were other subjects stressed
by the President in his message today.
He reiterated the purpose Of tie ad-
rninistration to act with the League of
Nations as far as advisable in bringing
about a peaceful adjustment of the
differences between Japan and China.
In this connection. he said:
I'VE have been deeply concerned over
the situation in Manchuria. AS parties
to the Kellogg BRAND pact and to the
nine-power treaty we have responsibility
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