Evening star., 1934-06-01
Will Meet Nations That Are
Spending for Recovery
Not NationaliSm.
MESSAGE DENIES NEED
FOR LEGISLATION NOW
Democrats Charge G. 0, P, Delay
ing Adjournment Past Due
Date of Money.
The tert OF the President S
message is on Page AS.

BY ne Associated Press.
President Roosevelt. in a report to
Congress today on war debts, held
out a promise for discussion of re-
vision of present funding agreements
to any European debtor nations who
ask and present special circum-
stances relating to means and meth
DDS of payment"
He indicated that special circum-
stances" would be considered by en-
phasizlng that factors would be
whether the nations are utilizing
their resources for recovery pur
poses" or make reasonable pay
ment" on the debt owed, or are
spending for 'unproductive national
lStic' purposes
In some official quarters the Presi
dents statement concerning possible
conferences was considered significant
as a prelude to Great Britain's note
on the debts question expected here
any time.
DlScuSSlOn fTOpOSeu.
Sir Ronald Lindsay. the British
Ambassador. is understood to have
made overtures to the White House
for a discussion.
With the next due date two weeks
from today, there arose Democratic
contentious meanwhile that Repub-
licans were filibustering to keep Gen.
i,1 that datp
The presidential message in the
main was a factual recording of the
debts status as to defaults, token
payments and the like.
At the end. however. be emphasized
that the debtor nations have been told
again and again that they have full
opportunity to discuss their problems
with this country.
Il suggest" wrote Mr. Roosevelt,
that. in view of all existing circum-
stances, no legislation at this session
of the Congress is either necessary or
advisable.
Byrn Assails G. o. p.
Talking with reporters about Re-
publican tactics in Senate and House
the last few days. Representative
Byrns, the Democratic leader. said:
They hope, apparently, to embarraSs
the administration.
Events of the last few days clearly
indicate that Republicans in the
House and Senate are engaged in
concerted filibuster to force Congress
to remain in session until June 10
and perhaps later"
Recalling that money represented
by the war debts enabled successful
I conclusion of a war which involved
the national existence of the bor-
rowers." Pl esident Roosevelt said it
was lin turn borrowed by the United
States Government from the people
of the United States.
Our Government. in the absence
of payment from foreign govern
ments." he added, lis compelled to
raise the shortage by general taxa
ton of its own people in order to pay
off the original Liberty bonds and
the later refunding bonds.
Consideration Pledged.
ut is fol these reasons that the
American people have felt that their
debtors we're called upon to make
determined effort to discharge these
Obligations The American people
would not be disposed to place an
impossible burden upon their debtors,
but are nevertheless in just posi-
ton to ask that substantial sacrifices
be made to meet these debts"
Repayment of the debts, the Presl-
dent reminded, has gravely compli-
Gated our trade and financial rela-
tionships with the borrowing nations
for many years
The message went to the Capitol
in the usual manner, despite the
President himself being in Massa-
chusetts to attend the graduation OF
his son John from GrOton School.
Il can only repeat that l have made
it clear to the debtor nations again
and again that the indebtedness to
our Government has no relation what
soever to reparations payment made
or owed to them, and that each lndl-
vidual nation has full and free op-
portunity individually to discuss its
problem with the United States"
Message Commended.
The message drew quick commenda-
ton from Republican as well as Dem
ocratic spokesmen in Congress, en-
phaSizing the determination OF lead
ers not to yield on the obligations.
Senators from both parties COM
mended the tone of the Presidents
message and said it represented the
sentiment of the American people.
There was general relief on Capitol
Hill where leaders ere straining every
nerve for early adjournment. that no
legislation was recommended
Senator Robinson. Democratic lead
er, voiced typical congressional re-
action when he said the message was
"in accord with "eneral public senti-
ment in this country"
Senator FeSs. Republican. of Ohio
Continued on Page 2, Column g.