Evening star., 1933-06-22

Many Americans believe that poor
judgment was shown by Premier Mac
Donald Of Great Britain in declaring
at the opening Of the World Economic
Conference that the debt question must
be dealt with before every obstacle to
general recovery has been removed, and
it must be taken up without delay by
the nations concerned" Some critics
see no reason for discussion Of the SUBJ
ject at this time, but others, while dif-
fering as to the wisdom and timeliness
Of the British statement, agree that
debt settlement must come before other
matters can be settled.
For the time being, at least" says
the Lincoln State Journal, 'the British
acknowledge owing the debt. The
Democratic platform, on which the
President and Democratic Congress
There isn't word in the platform op-
posing reduction Of foreign debt by
agreement. A debt conference will
follow. possibly soon after the ending of
the economic conference" The Cleve-
land News comments: Perhaps the
debts can be discussed at one time as
well as another, but the world confer
ence should have been allowed to COM
plete its deliberations before this highly
controversial subject was brought up"
The Boston Transcript feels that 'if
the debt issue was destined inevitably
to be raised at London, the opening
speech Of the chairman Of the con-
ference was hardly the place for 1t, !"
and that considered from any stand
point, the speech Is to be regarded as
however, that "Mr MacDonald's popu-
larity on this side Of the water should
soften the resentment his action has
caused" Observing that In reality 'the
situation remains In statu quo" and
that negotiations are to be undertaken
between Washington and the capitals
of those countries which have not de-
faulted," the Buffalo Evening News
advises that "this course was always
open," and hopes that "a new deal of
some kind which will satisfy American
interests and remove the debt problem
from the field of embittered controversy
will now be made"
With the statement that President
Roosevelt has courteously agreed to
receive and consider any debt pro-
pOsals," the Altoona Mirror adds that
this does not mean that he favors
either reduction or cancellation Of
debts" situation which also Is OBJ
served by the Haverhill Gazette. Ad-
mitting that political considerations
probably affected the British leader, the
Boise Idaho) Statesman contends that
this does not detract from the damage
done, or serve to heighten our respect
for his tactics" The Spokane Spokes-
man-Review quotes statements as to
the existence OF European bloc Of
debtor nations, and concludes: If that
Is to be the attitude Of Great Britain and
the other powers, the American dele
gates would better pack their grips and
come home" This position is taken
also by the Chicago Daily News.
Perhaps in the knowledge that the
subject is first in the minds Of Europe
and certain explosive utterances must
be released" comments the Oakland
Tribune, there is q determination to
give debts an inning and have them
over with, that the meeting might get
down to the business for which It was
called" The Baltimore Evening Sun
protests against attacks Of consterna-
ton IN the American delegation" ad-
v1sing that too much cousternation Is
hard on the nerves." The Rock Island
Argus feels that 1T was well nigh I'M
possible to speak Of the troubles in
which the whole world is immersed
without making mention Of one of the
underlying causes" an opinion which is
voiced also by the San Francisco
Chronicle, the Roanoke Times, the CO.
lumbia IS. Co. Record. the Danbury
News-Tmes, the Lexington Leader, the
Asbury Park Evening Press, and the
Nashville Banner.
The Charlotte Observer declares:
frenkY e. 1sarlessly fsced at this