Evening star., 1933-01-05
DEBT CONFERENCE
SUPPORT IS SEEN
Senate Leaders May Back
Talks With Nations Which
Met Obligations.
BY the Associated Press.

Indications were seen today that
some Senate leaders might support pro-
posals to renew war debts discussions
with those nations which have met
their payments, particularly Great
Britain.
Such evidence was found in speeches
by Senators Robinson of Arkansas and
Reed of Pennsylvania, during the course
of the Senate's first wide-open airing
of international relations this session.
Touched off by Senator johnson of
California, who arraigned France and
| other defaulting nations, the sharp de-
| bate reached its height yesterday when
Senator Borah, Idaho Republican, de-
terminedly asserted that President
Hoover had asked congressional leaders
to approve any agreement made with
Premier Laval in 1880 for debt revision.
Denied by Others.
Republicans close to the administra-
ton were quick with denials, but it was
addresses by Robinson, the Democratic
leader, and Reed, stanch supporter
of Mr.. Hoover, that gave indications OF
a more friendly attitude toward Great
Britain. Both, however, agreed it
would be impossible to treat with
France, at least until she has settled
her account due December Is.
Robinson said: "* . With re-
spect to the British government, con-
| ditlonS may arise by which it would
| seem to be justified to enter into dis
cussion. The British government paid
its debts. But as to the other
governments, and particularly the
| ~, ~
| financial position, but declined to meet
| it's obligations do not see how
it is pos=ssse to comply with the re-
quest for the creation. q . commission. I"
Reed said: ST honor Great Britain
for the way she has kept her engage
ments under great difficulties, I hope
that we will meet them half way be-
| fore or after March 4, hear what she
has to say and meanwhile reserve, of
course, the freedom of action as to what
we might do" He added:
| THAT France should be met in the
same way it seems to me preposterous." !"
Will See Roosevelt.
Robinson is among the Democratic
| leaders who will meet President ELECT
Roosevelt in New York tonight and,
inasmuch as wide field of problems is
| to be discussed and since the war debts
problem has reaSSerted itself, the queS-
| ton of how the incoming administra-
| ton will approach 1t may be consid-
cred.
Senator Watson Of Indiana, the Re-
| publican leader, disputed Borahs state
ment that Mr.. Hoover had sought a
pledge from congressional leaders for
any debts revision agreement, and with
other Senators being drawn in, the
| question went unsettled. Borah again
stated his position of being willing to
| reconsider debts only If such recon-
sideration would include a program to
| adjust all postwar problems, such as
disarmament, restoration of farm prices
and sounder money.
johnson, Republican who supported
Mr.. Roosevelt in the November elec-
tions, denounced the nations which de-
faulted in their December installments
and demanded enactment of his resolu-
ton under which American resources
would be kept from those countries.
Refers to Hoover Farley.
| Borah's speech reached its high point
| when the Idaho Senator asserted that
ION the night we congressional lead
ers) met with President Hoover before
/ the session of 1881 the President asked
that we approve any agreement reached
with Premier Laval for readjustment
| Of the debts"
Watson, just then entering the cham
| ber quickly contradicted and asked if
he had heard Alright
YES" Borah said. "And objected
that night I said would not consent
| to any agreement that would bind me- a."
THE proposition was not advanced by
the President" Watson retorted. ut
was some one else"
"Oh, no! The President called the
conference with a view to getting CO.
operation for certain program. There
were five proposals. He started with
| the Reconstruction Corporation and
went down the line to the fourth, which
was the question of discussing with
Laval the debts problem"
Dispute Ends in Impasse.
Other Senators quickly were drawn
into the controversy. In the face of
emphatic denials, Borah held his
ground and the dispute ended in a COM
plete izpasse.
In his argument with Borah, Watson
insisted that the congresSional-H Hoover
meeting didn't have a thing to do
with debts or Laval's visit" whereupon
Senator Robinson, who earlier had
joined johnson in opposing a new debts
commission, expressed regret that what
happened at the White House confer
ence more than year ago should be
debated in the Senate.
Apparently the memory of Senators
differs about what transpired, and /
wouldn't like to testify" he asserted
Il do recall there was comment con-
corning the coming OF Laval and that
there were objections to any reopening
of the debts question"
Watson smilingly replied Even If IT
did happen. as my friend from Arkan-
sas says, that's no Justification for
Frances default"