Show c SLIGHT STIR BY BAKERS BAKER'S OPINION ON fRENCH DEBT DoJ Arguments of Former Fonner Secretary Repeatedly Used in Senate Debates w WASHINGTON Aug 30 AThe AP AP- AP The opinion of ot Newton D. D Baker war time secretary of ot war that the United Stat States s should cancel debts owed by Its allied and associated powers found little reaction today In n the official circles of Washing ton In the absence of Secretary Mellon Mel Mel- lon ion who is in Europe treasury of officials ot- ot were disinclined to comment except to call attention to the statement Issued by the secretary prior to his departure This statement statement statement state state- ment It was pointed out was called forth orth by a plea to for cancellation of ot the he French obligation which had hadeen been een met by the secretary's remark that hat no other creditor of France has acc such generous treatment treat treat- ment meat as has America The arguments propounded by former ormer Secretary Baker It was sas pointed jointed out further had been used repeatedly on the senate floor dUrIng during dur- dur Ing ng the debates on the various settlements settlements settlements set set- and had failed to effect modification of ot the Italian an ami anil other other oth- oth er T debt agreements After Alter reviewing the entire subject subject sub- sub of debts owed by foreign powers pow- pow ers era rs and particularly owed by France it was recalled that Secretary Secretary Secretary Secre Secre- tary Mellon had said that in ef- ef America has cancelled the obligations obligations ob- ob of Prance France for all advances durin during the war and France In the Berenger Mellon agreement has undertaken only to lo repay the advances advances ad- ad vances ances and obligations subsequent to o the armistice The settlement of the French obligation he continued has been made along somewhat different different differ differ- ent lines from the settlement of ot French obligations to Great Brit Brit- am ain With the British banking ad advances advances advances ad- ad vances and commercial obligations have avo bee been treated separately from lne me war proper If however we compare the settlement of all Frances France's indebtedness indebtedness Indebtedness Indebted indebted- ness to England with the settlement settlement settle settle- ment meat of ot her indebtedness to America America America Am Am- erica France has had generous treatment from us Particularly Is this true during the first five years which will be the most difficult for tor France The American settlement settlement settlement settle settle- ment with France embraces all of ot Frances France's indebtedness and represents represents represents in the opinion of the American American Ameri Amen can commission Frances France's capacity to pay I |