Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-07
WAR DEBTS FIGURE
IN c. OF c. PLANS
British and German Dele
oates Said to BE Planning
Resolution for Body.

War debts were understood today to
be figuring Importantly in informal con-
versation among delegates to the in
ternational Chamber Of Commerce, with
an effort being made to draw up sat-
isfactory resolution to be presented for
adoption to the final plenary session
of the chamber Saturday.
British and German delegates were
said to be principally interested and to
be holding meetings at their hotels to
thrash out the question.
Because of conflicting international
viewpoints any resolution will be
compromise. It is understood that con-
sideration now is being given to an ex-
preston which would point out the eff
fects of the further decline of commod-
ity prices on war debts.
Phraseology Chief Concern.
The "phraseology" of the resolution
was said to be the principal matter OF
concern. In this connection it was
emphasized this morning by Silas H.
Strawn, chairman of the American
committee of the international cham
Der, who also is president of the Cham
Der of Commerce of the United States
that there will be no difference Of
opinion when it comes to a showdown"
Despite the fact that the debt situa-
ton has been projected into the de-
liberations of the International Cham
Der only in mild form, applause
greeted speakers who brought up this
subject on the same day that Secre-
tary of the Treasury Mellon was re-
emphasizing the American policy
against reopening the debt matter.
Not only war debts. but all important
factors involved in the world depres-
sion are expected to be covered ii a
composite resolution which will go be-
fore the Chamber Saturday. Thus far
however, it was said by Mr.. Strawn,
the resolutions are only in the EN-
bryonic stage"
Views Given Airing.
Right now. as conferences are being
held on various issues, the spokesman
for the several nations represented are
being afforded opportunity TO air their
views, that differences may be har-
monized before they reach the floor.
One of the controversial issues before
the congress apparently was smoothed
out this afternoon, when a group of
conferees on silver agreed in principle
on a resolution to be presented to the
chamber, calling for an international
conference of interest to governments
to discuss measures of relief in connec-
ton with the decline in the price of
silver. The British delegation, headed
by Sir Arthur Balfour. who have been
considered in some quarters to be OPP
posed to the idea of an international
conference presented a resolution in
, favor of such a meeting. A similar
resolution coming from the Indian and
Chinese delegations, who have fought
consistently for the conference, was
already up, and at the suggestion of
Senator King Democrat, OF Utah. who
has interested himself in the subject of
a silver conference, it was decided to
consolidate both resolutions.
Some Of the details as to the ideas
as to just how the conference should be
sought remain to be worked out, but
agreement was anticipated on these.
The banquet of the chamber will be
held at 1880 o'clock tonight in the
Washington Auditorium, where the
speakers will be Georges Theunis, a
| former Belgian premier, who is the re-
firing president OF the chamber, and
Alberto Pirell, Italian induStrialist, and
Willis H. Booth, New York banker
/ both of whom are honorary presidents
! of the chamber.
| An agreement among agricultural
nations, including Russia, to govern
farm production by consumption was
proposed before today's plenary session
/ Of the chamber by Alfred Falter, chair
man Of the Polish delegation, and DR.
| H. L. Russell, former dean OF the Wis
| conSin College Of Agriculture.
! Russell, who pictured Russia as figur-
| ing more and more important in the
wheat and cotton trade. said: Each Of
! us may have his own ideas as to what
| will be RuSsia's influence on the rest OF
| the world. We may fout her philosophy
| Of government: we may deny her recog'
milton in the family of nations, but this
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