Evening star., 1934-06-13
GOODS PAYMENTS
ONDEbTSL|M|TED
Roosevelt Puts Acceptance
of Merchandise on
Partial Basis.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.


President Roosevelt is agreeable to
considering payments In goods by Eu-
ropean war debtors, but only on a
partial basis. it was made known at
the Presidents semi-weekly press con-
ference today.
Mr.. Roosevelt's attitude was dis
closed in comment on the United
States note to Great Britain yester-
day in which this Government tested
the good faith of the debtor nations
by offering them the possibility OF
liquidating some of their obligations
in goods rather than in gold as pro-
vided in the debt agreements signed
since 1928
The suggestion for this manner of
payments made in the note was de-
clared not to be an offer for full pay
ment on such basis. Mr.. Roosevelt
emphasized that the American note
was simply a reply to the British de-
fault, pointing out way of payment
rather than making an offer.
Willing to Discuss Debts.
In other words, the United States
said it was willing to discuss the war
debts if asked by Great Britain, and
is willing to consider ways of avoiding
the obstacles raised by the British of
making full payments in cash.
Replying last night to the note the
British government sent on May Is
informing this Government Great
Britain would not meet the payment
due Friday, Secretary Of State Hull
stated:
Should his majesty's government
wish to put forward proposals for the
resumption of payments, this Gov
eminent would be glad to discuss them
informally. For instance, no proposal
has even been presented to this Gov
ernment looking toward payments in
kind to an extent that might be found
mutually practicable and agreeable.
Any proposals of this or a similar
character which promise mutual bene-
fit will be carefully considered for
eventual submission to the American
Congress"
Applies to Any Nation.
Although the note was addressed to
Great Britain alone, it is understood
that it will be applied to any nation
willing to meet her obligations by pay
ments in kind or in services.
About the same time this note was
handed to the British Ambassador,
Sir Ronald Lindsay, for transmission
to London, the French Ambassador,
Ardra do Toho,,loya colIod o. the
State Department to inform the
American Government of the decision
of the Doumergue cabinet to default
for the fourth time, next Friday.
Czechoslovakia and Belgium already
have informed the State Department
of the decision of their governments
not to meet the June installment. The
representatives of Italy, Estonia, Yugo-
slavia, Rumania, Hungary. Latvia,
Lithuania and Poland will bear a
similar missive to the Secretary of
State in the course of the next 48
hours. Finland, as on previous occa-
sions, will meet its obligations.
Ever since the debt question has
formed the subject of acrimonious dis
cussions in Parliaments and in the
,, press, it has been pointed out by the
debtors that because of the chaotic
situation of the international ex-
changes and the impossibility Of max
ing huge payments of gold it would
be only equitable for this country to
accept payments otherwise than in
gold.
1t was added further that only little
of the yellow metal had left the United
States when these loans were made.
In most cases, the debtor nations OBJ
tanned either raw materials or manu-
factured goods. Consequently, one of
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