The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-19
WOULD COOPERATE
WITHROOSEVELTT0
insure CONTINUITY
Proceeds Without Congressional
Approval to Set Up Dis
cussion Machinery
TO NAME COMMISSION SOON
Suggests InterIocking Of Debts,
Economic and Disarma.
ment Questions

Washington, Dec. 19.-(R)-Cooper-
alton with President-Elect Roosevelt
to insure continuity Of American
foreign policy, particularly as to war
debts, the world economic conference.
and disarmament was proposed Mon
day by President Hoover in q message
to congress.
Lacking congressional approval for
revival Of the war debt commission,
the president declared it necessary for
him to proceed independent of con-
gress to set up machinery for further
debt discussions with those nations
who have not defaulted.
He suggested an interlocking Of the
debt. economic, and disarmament
questions and indicated that q COM
mission on debts would be appointed
soon by him, some of the members Of
which also would be delegates to the
world economic conference set for
next year, while others would have a
liaiSon with the present disarmament
negotiations.
It is the assumption here that Hoo
yer already has made some overtures
toward Roosevelt and that the per.
sonnet of the group which Is to handle
the debt commission will be submitted
to the president-elect for his approval
before appointment.
Should Not Be Delayed
The only mention Of this subject in
the message to the congress, however,
was as follows:
Discussions in respect to both debt
questions and the world economic
conference cannot be concluded dur.
ing my administration, yet the eco
nomic situation in the world necessi-
tates the preliminary work essential
to its success. The undertaking Of
these preliminary questions should
not be delayed until after March 4.
Il propose. therefore. to seek the
cooperation OF President-E Elect Roose-
welt in the organization of machinery
for advancement of consideration Of
these problems.
"A year ago I requested that the
congress should authorize the crea-
ton Of debt commission to deal with
situations which were bound to arise.
The congress did not consider this
wise. In the situation as it has de-
veloped it appears necessary for the
executive to proceed.
obviously any conclusions would
be subject to approval by the con-
gress."
The president reiterated his views
against cancellation or reduction
without adequate compensations and
said it would meet my hearty approx
al" If congress should decide to re-
establish the debt commission. Con-
gressional opposition to any such step
is so strong, however. that the chief
executive voiced no hope that that
previous recommendation Of his ever
would be fulfilled.
Excluded Only Negatively
Hoover only negatively excluded
from the proposed discussions those
nations including France and Bel
GUM, which defaulted Dec. Is. After
outlining again the views he has ex-
pressed many times against imposing
further sacrifices on the American
people In connection with the debts,
he said:
I'm any event in protection to our
vital interests, as good neighbors and
in accord with our traditional duty as
wise and fair creditors whether to in
dividuals or nations, we must honor
the request for discussion Of these
questions by nations who have sought
to maintain their obligations to US"
The nations which by paying last
week qualified undoubtedly for the
debt discussions proposed by the presi-
dent, are:
Great Britain, which paid $e5, $780,
600: italy, 81 ,437; Czechoslovakia,
$1,500,0 900; Finland, $186,235: Latvia,
$148,852; and Lithuania, So, 1885.
If present hopes that France too
will pay her $l9,261 .432 are realized,
she too doubtless would be elibigle.
Defaulting nations from which no In.
dications Of reconsideration have
come are:
Belgium. owing $2,125,ooo; Poland.
$4,427 $50: Hungary, $40,729 and Es.
tonia $356,370.
The situation confronting the pres.
ent administration. as outlined In
quarters close to the president, is that
Hoover feels himself at loss to take
the preparatory steps necessary with
out some help from the new admins
tration.
Usually Requires Weeks
It was pointed out that diplomatic
negotiations Of the character involved