462.00 R 29/317: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 11—2:47 a.m.]
1681. B–239 for Davis.
1st. Delacroix86 has apparently secured assent France to plan submitting German Spa proposals to Reparation Commission instead of proposed Geneva conference. This suggestion comes from Theunis who is now trying secure English assent through Bradbury. While as already cabled my preference would be for different method I have urged Bradbury to help obtain English approval on theory better help along the lines which meet Belgian and French wishes than try to force them, against their will. My feeling is that if we can ever get hold of the matter Theunis, Bradbury and I can either get results through Commission or at worst can make some majority recommendation which will attract public attention and make task of premiers easier if they have to tackle it again and again. Italy will probably help. In private talk Dubois has agreed with principles about indemnity which I have stated in previous cables and I should hope to get agreement on principles before talking figures. If for instance we could send back to premiers unanimous recommendations that definite figure should be substituted for long accounting contemplated by treaty and principle of economic capacity substituted for treaty principles based on damages and that Reparation Commission or some other expert body should be given authority to settle figure on that basis, it would be hard for French Parliament find any plausible excuse for objection. If can ever get principles established figures will inevitably follow.
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- Boyden
- Wallace
- Leon Delacroix, Belgian Prime Minister, Nov. 1918 to Nov. 1920.↩