800.51 W 89 Great Britain/8: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Harvey) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 15—10 a.m.]
294. Yesterday in the House of Commons replying to Asquith, the Chancellor of the Exchequer quoted the British indebtedness [Page 404] to the United States at present rate of exchange as approximately £938,000,000. He stated:
“Our relation to the United States in the matter of the debt which we owe to that great country is engaging our attention at the present moment. I welcome and reciprocate the views which were expressed by the right honorable gentleman, the member for Paisley, that our debt to the United States of America is one of solemn obligation which undoubtedly we shall meet. There is no question about that and the request which the United States has made to us recently to consider the question of funding the debt and placing it upon a suitable and equitable foundation is one which will be completely met. There is no question of the attitude of the country on the matter.”