Evening star., 1932-07-25
.BORAH'S DEBT PLAN.
MEETS CRITICISM
Congress Leaders Declare
Him in Minority Hoover
Silent on Proposal.
Continued From First Page)

matte circles. It is considered as the
first speech aiming to bridge the gulf
between Europe and America on the
controversial matters of debts and dis
armament. Heretofore the impression
abroad was that the chairman of the
Senate's Foreign Relations Committee
was definitely opposed to any revision
unless Europe agreed to draStically cut
its armaments. The fact that the SEN
ator from Idaho did not make this point
a condition "sine qua non" has raised
hopes of the people in Europe that
America is now in the frame Of mind Of
talking business sensibly."
Mr.. Borah's address over the radio
has revived the hopes Of every European
country and Is considered as likely to
help to create feeling Of confidence
in the future in Europe.
Ever since 1924 Senator Bo-S,l has
been considered by European nations
as the dictator Of Americas foreign
policies" Whenever European or Amer
lean statesmen put forth some ideas re-
lating to q closer cooperation between
the two continents, the first question
asked In London, Paris and Berlin was
What will Senator Borah's reaction
be?" In Europe Senator Borah Is con-
sidered as the final authority in Ameri-
cas- relations with foreign countries.
Hence, his speech on Saturday, in
evitably created profound impress
sion in the world chancellories as we'll
as a powerful reaction in public opin-
ion abroad.
In diplomatic circles the impression is
that while the administration cannot
hing prif1Q
about the debt question, Senator Borah's
address does reflect the point OF view
of many thinking people in the Repub-
lican as well as - the Democratic
camp. 1t is also believed that the Sen
ator from Idaho has not made his
speech without ascertaining that public
opinion In the United States Is ready
to change its point of view regarding
the debt question. Hence, the con-
clusion that America Is ready to talk
debts soon after the electoral campaign.
Propitious Moment Seized.
As a matter of fact, the chairman Of
the Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee has sprung nothing new on the
world. Since 1925 he was of the opin-
ion that something ought to be done
about the debts, but had never made
any clear statement as to what and how
It should be done, until last Saturday.
The moment seemed to him propi-
tious because, it is said, for the first
time since 1919, France had indicated
that it does not make the question of
security an essential condition to dis
armament. In the adjournment reso-
luton of the Geneva Disarmament Con-
ference, France has gone on record as
favoring disarmament without standing
by the BRAND note to the League Of
Nations in August. 1881, whereby the
French government insisted that there
can be no disarmament as far as
France Is concerned without adequate
security. This gesture Of France, to-
gether with her willingness to reduce
the German reparations to practically
nothing. Is said to have decided Sen
ator Borah to show the world that in
his opinion, the United States should
now abandon its attitude regarding
debts and assist Europe in its endeavor
to solve the world depression.
FRENCH PREFER TARIFF CUT.