File No. 811.203/60

The Acting Secretary of State to the Appointed Belgian Ambassador ( De Cartier )

Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of October 20, 1919, in which you were so kind as to advise me of the acceptance by the Belgian Government of the modification suggested in my note of September 2, 1919, in regard to the existing arrangement relative to military penal jurisdiction.

In reply to the inquiry as to when notice of this modification will be given, I have the honor to inform you that I shall forthwith advise the appropriate branches of this Government in regard to this modification. I shall appreciate it very much if you will be so kind as to inform me the date on which the appropriate declaration will be made on the part of your Government, and if you will also be so kind as to confirm my understanding that the aforesaid arrangement has not been terminated by the ratification on the part of your Government of the treaty of peace with Germany or otherwise, and that said modification may be considered as taking effect on October 20, 1919, the date of your note under acknowledgment.

Accept [etc.]

William Phillips