Evening star., 1932-07-12
MCDONALD DEFENDS
j. s. DEBTS STAND.
AGREEMENT DENIED
Commons Told Only Informal
Contacts Made With
Americans.
STROLLED AMONG HILLS
AND TALKED PROBLEMS
Discussions Described Only as Mat
ter of Social Intercourse by Of
fetal British Spokesman.
By the Associated Press.

oy tne hSSOCldlco E4coS-
LONDON, July 12.-Nobody can
blame the United States for the atti-
tude she has taken toward war debts,
Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald
told Parliament today, but the Lau-
same treaty was in no way intended
as an ultimatum to America.
1t was the prime minister's first ap-
pearance in the House since his return
from Lausanne Just before he began
to speak an official statement was issued
correcting an impression that the nego-
tiators at Lausanne had consulted
American representatives regarding a
"gentlemens agreement" that the Lau-
same treaty would not become effec-
tive until America scaled down the
debts.
That impression arose from a speech
yesterday in the House by Neville
Chamberlain, chancellor of the ex-
chequer, who said the delegates from
Lausanne had consulted not only each
other but also representatives of the
American Government.
Tired of Waiting.
The prime minister secuted the ar
gument that the governments could
have waited for certain elections
by which he meant the American presi-
dental election next November.
Il have become tired of waiting for
elections!" he exclaimed.
The prime minister asserted Lau-
same marked an essential step toward
world economic recovery and he ex-
pressed the hope the conference had
put an end to the uncertainties from
which business has suffered.
Where would the world have been
without Lausanne?" he demanded.
So long as German reparations lasted,
the prime minister said, there could be
no complete economic recovery.
Just before Mr.. Macdonald started
his report On the negotiations which re-
suited N scaling down Germany's pay
ments to 10000 900 marks approx
imately S712, SOC, ,OOo), the denial was
made that there had been either con-
versations or agreements between Brit
ish and American representatives re-
garding any revision of war debts In
connection with the Lausanne treaty.
Before the House of Commons yes
terday the chancellor of the exchequer
asserted that before the "gentlemen's
agreement was reached at Lausanne
there had been consultation with rep
resentatives of the United States Un-
der this "gentlemen's agreement" 1t is
understood the Lausanne treaty will be
imperative unless the European nations
obtain satisfactory reductions of their
T. debts to the United States.
The authoritative spokesman declared
Mr.. Chamberlain made his assertion in
the heat of debate and that it had been
taken as indicating much more than
he had intended.
Taken by Surprise.
According to this explanation the de-
bate yesterday started Unexpectedly as
result of Winston Churchill's state
ment that the government had blum
dered at Lausanne. The government
had intended to set aside today for a
full-dresS debate on the subject.
When Mr.. Chamberlain arose to an
sWer the authorized explanation has it,
he did not have time to choose his
words with the care he would have
exercised in a formal speech.
The authorized spokesman said the
United States has representatives at
Geneva and the British Lausanne dele
cation met these representatives and
SJrOlleO ABOUT WlIn tIlem among lEe
hills and along the side of the lake.
In these informal contacts, the ex-
palmer continued, world problems were
discussed solely as a matter of social
intercourse.
The position of the British govern
ment was said to be the same now as it
was fortnight ago, when both the
British and French foreign Offices is
sued denials that "gentlemen's agree
ment" in reference to war debts had
been reached.
Sees Tender Spots"
In his report, Mr. Macdonald said he
understood perfectly we'll that very
tender spots" we're being touched by the
Lausanne agreement so far as America
is concerned.
He wanted to make it quite clear ne
said, that nobody had right to blame
America for taking the attitude she has
taken.
Referring to the so-called gentle
mems agreement" Mr.. Macdonald said
that Friday morning at Lausanne, in
reply to a question by the German
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