Evening star., 1932-12-16
HARRISON CANCELS
DEBTS SPEECH DUE
TO DEVELOPMENTS
Says Trend Has Changed
Since He Promised Dis
cussion in Senate.
u. S. COURSE IN DOUBT
AFTER CABINET PARLEY
Hoover, in Special Message, Will
Ask for Review for Nations
Paying Installment.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
A proposed speech on war debts was
withheld today by Senator Harrison,
Democrat, of Mississippi, with the an
nouncement to the Senate that Ger
tain circumstances have arisen" that
made it seem best to defer discussion
Meanwhile the new complexion cast
on the debts issue by yesterdays default
on the part of France and four other
nations was studied this morning at
the Presidents cabinet table, but after
ward the officials directly concerned
were non -committal on the future
American course.
Explaining his action in calling of
the promised senatorial debate on the
question, Senator Harrison. the rank
ing Democrat on the important Finance
Committee, told the Senate:
ION yesterday I gave notice that
today intended to discuss the foreign
debt situation. Since making that an
nouncement, there has been, in my
opinion, some change in the trend OF
events.
Practical Thing to Do"
Certain circumstances have arisen
which I hope will work to the mutual
advantage of both France and the
United States and preserve the fine and
friendly and cordial relationship that
has always existed between the two
countries.
Therefore it is my opinion that the
"a do or
of that situation is to withhold any
remarks touching that very important
question, and so shall conduct myself
accordingly for the present"
Senator Harrison said he had held
many conferences during the morning,
but refused to say with whom. He
did say:
There was no restraint from the
State Department on debate up here. !
took the position it was the practical
thing to do"
The Senate galleries had filled for the
expected debt debate. Mrs. Ogden Mills,
wife of the Secretary of the Treasury,
sat in the Presidents row. The usually
vacant diplomatic gallery had several
visitors.
Borah Expected to Take Part.
All were disappointed, yas with Har-
risons announcement other Senators
who had expected to participate in the
debate, including Chairman Borah Of
the Foreign Relations Committee, kept
silent
There were no indications. however,
that the administration was contem-
plating immediate aggressive steps to
straighten out the muddle. Secretary
of State Stimson asked what the future
course of this country would be, said /:
THAT is big question. I do not care
to discuss 1t now
Secretary Mills, when asked whether
the United States might exercise its
right under the Mellon -Berenger agree
ment to demand of France its own
bonds in exchange of those defaulted
on, replied with the question:
Gould these other bonds be sold?"
Report Is Denied.
A published report that Mr.. Hoover
was considering further consultation
with President -elect Roosevelt on the
debts was met with fiat denial at the
White House.
Despite the expectation the PreSi-
dent would recommend creation of a
debts commission in his forthcoming
message on the debts, there was no
prospect that Congress would approve
it, and it was definitely learned the
administration has no intention at
present of setting up any unofficial
agency of the sort without congress
sional authority.
Ambassador Claudel of France con-
(Nopfjvuod ~, noro o 0o1,,rno ~