Show BElGIAN DEBT I II I CONFAB BEGUN I U U. S. S Asked to Consider Small Nations Nation's War- War WarTime WarI WarTime Time Time Predicament I I w i A Aug 10 41 10 CA' CA OP I Belgium will ask her creditors to I II take Into consideration exception exception- exceptional I al a war and post war conditions Baron Do De Cartier Cartler the Belgian exception I am am- ambassador amI ambassador declared today In lre pre presenting I seating the Belgian debt commis commissioners to the American commis I eton sion 1 Replying Secretary Mellon I chairman of ot the tho American com corn commission commIssion mission said the tho United States Slates I would not ask Belgium to do tho the I II I Impossible of the i debt t would but that be a the hr recognition c funding I of or the Integrity of ot International ob obligations oh- oh and ant the settlement of ot ob-I ob a I question which might disturb the tho long lon friendship of our nations I The Tho exchanges took place at the I first meeting of or tho the two commis commis- commissions commissions clone which will attempt to work workout workout out a formula for tor settlement of ot the tho debt Ambassador Do De Cartler Cartier said MId the adoption and normal functioning of or the Dawes Daes plan although It would I give to Belgium only a n small I i share of or what we are entitled to and the gradual curtailment of I government expenditures gave I Belgium reason to hope that she sheI would succeed In her I efforts to place her finances on a a. I sound basis basic I I I would have taken up r earlier ca with the l United States the t funding of ot her debt he continued but for tor the non fulfillment of 1 many man solemn pledges r ledges given to her people during the war I The situation so created he added was made even en more moro crit crit- ical teal by b the fact tact that during the four foul years of ot occupation Belgium I was forced to pay Germany Grman under the form torm of ot war levies in cash and andas andas andas as a I result ot or the imposed use of ot German currency a tribute which now amounts to a loss of ot nearly nearl 2 2 n J You are also als aware of ot the sums which we had to spend to rebuild our devastated de regions and to restore our wantonly destroyed factories Calling attention that cru crush crushing h- h hIns Ins InK post war taxes had been I led upon the Belgian eople the ambassador said that relying on ott the sense of or Justice of or which the American nation had given gl them so many profits the Belgian peo peo- people people pie sought funding of ot the debt inspired by the recollection of or the tho nature and history of ot our debts as well ell as by the Just com coin comprehension comprehension of ot our economic and financial difficulties created by an un unjust war of ot which we were tho the Innocent victims STUDY Secretary Mellon In his reply rep said eald Belgians could rest assured that their position will have 6 the lice most sympathetic and friendly consideration by b our commission The funding of your debt to 10 tous tous us within your OUI capacity to pay pa he added means far more than luau the mere payment by you 1 0 and an 1 tho the receipt by b us of ot a 11 certain nuis- nuis ber bel be of ot dollars each year ear It wIt Is a recognition ot or he ho Integrity of International obliga obliga- obligations obligations Ions and the settlement ot or a n question which might disturb th Ih long friendship ot of our two na- na To accomplish these results is worthy of ot our every ever effort The Tho question before us Is cf of narrow v compass There are arc hut hul two parties to our negotiations Politics local or International are not Involved AVe We e sit hen hen- reasonable la men around a table I I Under such C conditions we e soon soon learn each ench others other's viewpoints do 1 de- de I the true facts governing go I Ithe I Ithe the situation and should reach an agreement fair rail to your coun coun- country country try and OUts ouis I coun-I |