Evening star., 1932-01-01

Senator Hiram Johnson'S efforts to
defeat the approval of the debt mora
torium by Congress failed to win the
| approval OF the country, while news
paper comment indicates a willingness
to extend the period for payment of
Wer debts. Political motives are charged
to the California Senator, whose atti-
tude is contrasted with that of the
Democrats in Congress.
The correct position Of the Demo-
Gratis on this administration proposal. :"
In the Judgment of the San Francisco
Chronicle, throws into stronger relief
the attitude of the handful of Senator'S
of both parties who seized upon the
measure rs an excuse for making
trouble. What the regular opposition
party would not do these see ttercd Sen
ators did eagrely. Th~se melcontents
could not sway the result particle, and
they knew it. But they could stir up
unpleasantness and they did it while q
weary Senate listened for the most Part
in silence. The Senate as body is
very courteous to its members"
The Senate, with its vote" accord
ing to the Oklahoma Tribune, proved
it does not consider the moratorium a
partisan measure. 1t has placed an
emphatic stamp Of approval upon the
L lSoAeSAAOo oSOlOil n11NI 4Cdb n @SS1SAA w
those who, for political or personal rea-
sons, would delay action on construc-
tive program" The Salt Lake Deseret
News feels that "the moratorium was
justified, both by business and humane
considerations, and Senator Johnson's
violent opposition to it does not seem
to be craftsmanship" The Rock Island
Argus declares that "his charges are
not borne out by the facts" and that
"his speeches cannot change the essen
tel truth about the war debt situation.
THE objection to the johnson
speech" argues the Buffalo Evening
News, 'is not that it reflects on the
President, who is much too big man
to be touched by such reflection, but
that it introduces into debate the ideas
of dictatorship and rebellion, which no
official of the American Government
should tolerate. The thought had to
be in the mir of the Senator before
it could come CIT, and it was put there
by his resentment at being unable to
impose his own judgment over that OF
the majority, not by any failure TO
learn majority opinion"
The gentlemen who stand In the
way OF all concession and adjustment
in the difficult problem of the debts"
states the Rochester Times Union, ARE
doing hardly less damage to the people
of the United States themselves than
they may be doing to the rest OF the
world" That paper comments further:
Let them default, cries Hiram
Johnson, in speaking Of our debtors.
There Is no denying that the stlff at
titude assumed by Senator Johnson and
his like, in the face of experts report
encourages just such a solution, II
solution 1t can be called, OF the whole
problem. But have the men who speak
light-heartedly of. such course OF
action considered fully what 1t means?
The default of a great natiCn on its
obligations will deal a terrific blow at
the credit structure of that nation and
of the world. 1t might easily be the
prelude of economic decay. 1t might
mean the partial destruction Of the best
OF our foreign markets, and the spread
OF social unrest, the consequence OF
which no man can foresee. Is 1t wise
to take chances on such policy? Nor
is this all. 1t is by no means certain
that something may not yet be saved
of some of the debts owed us by Eu-
ropean governments. The sure way to
lose everything is to insist on every
thing"
Observing the point of view Of those
VINO QpnclQ the rlgntS CT congress, tHe
St. Louis Times comments on the Situ-
alton: 1T his been said that Mr.
Hoovsr's moratorium action was neces |
sary to save Germany. 1t may have |
seemed so at the time, but since that |
day so many things have happened
that there has al Z IN doubt, of which |
Senator johnson takes proper advan-
taga in defending the Senate's consti-
tut,Gral tights. We have gone along a
good many years in our national life
without finding 1t necessary for the |