Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-04-20
FRANCE MAY OFFER
BILLION FOR DEBTS
Herriot Seeks Lump Sum
Payment Acceptable to
Parliament.
BY the Associated Press.

BY tho Associated Press.
s. s. lie DE FRANCE, EN- ROUTE
TO NEW YORK, April 20-Informal
speculation among the encourage OF
former Premier Edouard Herriot, en-
route to the Economic Conference at
Washington yesterday included figure
of between $500. o00, 900 and 81 ,0O0, 000,-
900 as a possible lump sum payment
that France might make in settlement
of the American debt
It was believed by persons in q good
position to know that the plan for final
settlement of the debt by one payment
is now the favorite idea of the French
government and Of the special Ambas-
sador.
M. Herriot exchanged kilograms with
his government In Paris today in order
to assist him and his experts to reach
exact decisions on the economic and
financial problems they will discuss in
Washington.
Further than this, nothing was di-
vulged officially as to the nature of the
results OF the private meeting of men,
beers of the commission. The session
lasted several hours.
Puts Debts in Foreground.
Informed persons. however, are con-
WINGED that the debt question is occupy
ing the foreground of M. Herriot's
thoughts regarding the Forthcoming
conversations with President Roosevelt
Since his cabinet was defeated last
December because of its stand in favor
Of paying the sl9,0O0,000 due the
United States. former Premier Herriot
has consistently advocated payment of
the war debt installment.
Fully aware that his own political
late hangs in the balance, M. Herriot
was believed to be seeking to formulate
some proposal for settlement which
would satisfy the conflicting expecta-
tons OF French and American political
sentiments.
In preparing a proposition to be made
to President Roosevelt on the basis OF
lump sum clearance, it is necessary
first to know what figure would obtain
the support Of a majority of the French
Chamber
Some political experts believe that
former Premier Tardieu is the key man
in this problem and can make or smash
any scheme for its realization.
M. Tardieu, 1t Is said on good author
tty. was willing to make the December
payment, but threw his parliamentary
group against it when his allier de-
cided the question must be used to GUST
M. Herriot from the premiership
Surrounded by Enemies.
M Herriot is surrounded by politi-
cal enemies, even aboard ship. His &C
companying experts were largely chosen
from groups hostile to his ambitions.
Correspondents for hostile French
newspapers are present in force and are
watching him like hawks This the
special envoy knows only too we'll.
II he agrees to the debt settlement
he will be denounced by the opposition
press and the opposition party leaders
as "betrayer Of France" 1t is no,
difficult, therefore. to understand why
M. Herriot was reluctant to accept the
mission to America
On the other hand, he could hardly
avoid accepting the task when Wash
ington indicated he would be welcome
Poet and scholar as he is, M. Herriot
is also a politician and he is inspired
by a natural ambition to return to the
premiership.
If he can return to America to bt
hailed as q man who successfully dis.
posed of the vexing American debt
question. he may be received as q ma
tional hero and be given a hero's re-
ward.
M. Herriot will 60 to Washington i'm.
mediately upon landing in New York
Conference with Secretary Hull ha:
been set for Tuesday afternoon.