462.00 R 29/290: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Wallace)
Washington, August
31, 1920—4 p.m.
1424. B–101. For Boyden.
Your B–198, August 13,79 and B–205, August 14.
- 1.
- This Government is very anxious to assist in any practical way in accomplishing solution of European economic problems. Objections which you outline are weighty, and in view of German attitude toward Hines80 and our anomalous position as non-signatories of Treaty we fear that probability of complications to which we should be exposed might be unjustifiably great. In addition, we have no outstandingly competent man available for such a position.
- 2.
- Principle which seems sound to Department is to have American representative on commissions which determine policy and limit or define application of Treaty. Since we are not signatories we do not desire official representation on administrative bodies which merely carry out stipulations of Treaty.81
- 3.
- In your capacity as unofficial member of Reparation Commission you are in position to guard interests of weaker nations in competition for Silesian coal. Department believes that it would be wise if [Page 424] possible to have Commission formally go on record as opposing the establishment of any monopolies or permanent systems of rationing which might prejudice the just claims of certain nations to adequate supplies of coal.
- 4.
- From this distance it appears that more intelligent and sympathetic administration of Silesian coal problems could be secured if coal commission sat in Silesia rather than in Belgium. There should also be clear line of demarcation between commission to administer coal deliveries by Germany to Allies and commission to deal with broader problems of distribution of Silesian coal. With former Commission the United States should not associate itself.
Davis