763.72119/6989: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
3343. Your 4377 September 27, 1 p.m. Department feels that it would be advisable to reserve opinion as to whether ratification of the Treaty by three powers is sufficient to enable the Reparations Commission to organize and operate without participation of a United States representative. Confidentially, for your information, the Department is inclined to agree with Woolsey and views of the American Mission but will send you opinion later. On ratification of the Treaty by three of the Allied and Associated powers and provided the Department finally agrees to the French view, you are advised that the United States will expect to be represented unofficially on the commission. Rathbone6 sails on the Mauretania Oct. 2 for Paris. He will transact certain Treasury business and will be attached to the Mission as financial adviser and in that capacity will handle all matters relating to the Reparations Commission. The question of representation on other commissions provided for in the Treaty with Germany will be answered later.
- Albert Rathbone, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Treasury.↩