File No. 811.7451/–
Accordingly an agreement was entered into by representatives of the
United States and the French Government, whereby the United States was
to proceed with the completion of this station for the French
Government, that Government to reimburse the United States for the cost
of all labor, material and other expenditures. A copy of this agreement
is transmitted herewith.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[Enclosure]
Agreement between the United States of America and
the Republic of France, Concerning the Completion of the
Lafayette Radio Station at Croix d’Hins, Near Bordeaux (Gironde), France
Official Text (English)
That, whereas, General John J.
Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the American
Expeditionary Forces requested, as a war measure, that he be
furnished with a means of assured communication, throughout all
times of the year, and as such communication could best be assured
from France by the construction of an extra high power radio
station, the station now known as the Lafayette Radio Station, at
Croix d’Hins, Gironde, France, was undertaken by the French
Government.
That, as the towers and apparatus for this station could be
manufactured most expeditiously in the United States, arrangements
were made for obtaining the necessary material and the labor for its
installation from the United States, delivery being assured by the
United States Navy.
That, these arrangements were entered into at a time when the
contemplated completion of such station would have rendered distinct
military assistance during hostilities, thereby enabling the United
States Government to more effectually aid and succour the French
Government, and the whole project was, therefore, considered purely
as a co-operative war measure.
[Page 842]
That measures were to be taken, upon the cessation of hostilities,
for the eventual purchase, if desired by the French Government, of
all material furnished from the United States for the construction
of the said station; and it was agreed that the United States
Government would be reimbursed, for the costs incurred.
And now whereas: The signing of an armistice by the United States of
America, the Allies and the Central European Powers has brought
about the cessation of hostilities; thus rendering the military
necessity of the Lafayette Radio Station inoperative, and
eliminating the original motive for the co-operation of the United
States Government in the construction of said station; it is
apparent and must be admitted that a complete change of status has
unavoidably been effected, and that new arrangements must be made in
view of this complete change.
Since both parties have fulfilled in good faith, in so far as was
practicable, each its part of the obligations originally assumed, it
is now further agreed:
1. That, the French Government desires to continue, as an after the
war project, the erection of the radio station at the aforementioned
place; and the United States Government recognizes, even though the
cessation of hostilities has brought to the fore its other projects
for which the material in question is needed and desired, the equity
of such a desire. The United States therefore sells to the French
Government at cost price all the material and equipment actually
delivered in France or to be delivered in France by it for the
construction of the Lafayette Radio Station.
2. That, the United States Government will execute, until completion,
its work at said station according to the old specifications and
according to such new plans as it decides are necessary; all matters
concerning the erection of the towers and the installation of arc
apparatus to be managed by the United States Government and also
those matters incident to such work. As requested by the French
Government, the Government of the United States will use for
carrying on the work, as much French labor as it judges to be
possible, it being understood nevertheless that, it shall be at
complete liberty to employ such contractors as it may desire, under
the rules usually in force for its own service.
3. That all material and equipment delivered now and in future, and
all construction that has been and will be undertaken and executed
by the United States Government, is and will be accepted by the
French Government and reimbursement therefore will be made to the
United States Government, in Paris every three months, beginning on
the 1st of April, 1919.
[Page 843]
Payments shall be made as follows:
| April 1, 1919 |
- (a)
- 50 per cent of approximate cost of material
delivered by United States up to that date.
- (b)
- Total cost of labor and other expenditures up
to that date.
|
| July 1, 1919 |
- (a)
- 50 per cent of balance due for materials
delivered by United States.
- (b)
- Total cost of labor and other expenditures
between April 1 and July 1.
|
| October 1, and each three months
thereafter. |
(b)1 Total cost of labor and other
expenditures for the preceding period of three
months. |
| Final payment one month after
completion of work undertaken by United States. |
- (a)
- Balance due on material delivered by United
States.
- (b)
- Balance due for labor and other
expenditures.
|
4. That the Government of the United States reserves unto itself the
right to such material as it may desire when this material is
unessential to the construction.
5. That, satisfactory completion shall be considered as effected when
eight (8) towers shall have been erected and the antenna installed
thereon, and when the Federal arc apparatus to be installed is ready
to deliver five hundred (500) antenna amperes, it being understood
that in the meantime the French Government shall have carried on as
formerly laid out its work on buildings, foundations and
appurtenances thereto, in such manner as not to have delayed the
work of the United States Government, and also that the French
Government’s station layout and location meets if necessary, the
fundamental requirements of an antenna capacity of .05 microfarads
and ground resistance such as will allow a total oscillating circuit
resistance not to exceed 1.g [1.5?] ohms at a
wave length of three times the natural period of the antenna.
6. That, the United States Government guarantees the material and the
workmanship entering into all material hereby sold to be of standard
quality, provided the French Government guarantees all permanent
buildings and tower foundations to be safe and adequate for the
installation therein and thereon of the material furnished by the
United States Government. The French Government having selected with
a knowledge of its limitations and advantages, the location of the
station and dictated the size and type of the antenna to be
installed and the power and type of apparatus to be used, it is
understood that the United States Government shall not be held
responsible for any shortcomings in these details.
7. That, the United States Government guarantees the French
Government against all eventual claims of possessors of the patents
[Page 844] known as the Federal
Telegraph Company’s patents, which might arise at the Lafayette
Radio Station, due to the operation by France of the arcs, and in
general all the material installed by the United States. In the
event of any owners of the patents known as the Fuller developments,
successfully maintaining a claim against the French Government for
the use of such patents in the Lafayette Radio Station, in
connection with material supplied by the United States, the French
Government reserves to itself the right to return to the United
States all or parts of the arc material at the price originally
charged, and the United States will receive same without
prejudice.
8. That, the French Government binds itself to forward the work of
the United States Government in all ways which may be desired by the
United States Government and the United States Government binds
itself to proceed as expeditiously as is in keeping with good
economic, engineering practice, this always excepting unavoidable
delays brought about by acts of Providence.
Paris, February 11,
1919.
G. C. Sweet
Lieutenant Commander, U. S. N. (
Ret.)
Le Colonel du Génie Ferrié
Directeur technique de la Radiotélégraphie
Militaire
