Paris Peace Conf. 184.011102/310
Mr. Albert Halstead to the Secretary of State24
Subject: Desire of the German-Austrians for American as president of Reparations Commission.
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that it has been represented to me by persons of influence in Austria that the interests of this small republic would be regarded as better safeguarded if an American citizen were to be elected as President of the Reparations Commission for which the proposed treaty of St. Germain makes provision. In the period since the war in which I have served in Vienna the belief in the sincerity and unselfishness of the American people has been on many occasions strikingly emphasized. The tendency has been to look toward the United States as the only nation without selfish interests or schemes who could possibly assist a stricken people in the hour of their need.
I have [etc.]
- Copy transmitted to the Commission by Mr. Halstead under covering letter No. 388, August 12; received August 14.↩