462.00 R 29/319: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State
Paris, September
10, 1920—5 p.m.
[Received September 11—11:05 a.m.]
[Received September 11—11:05 a.m.]
1682. B–240 for Davis. Your B–107, Department’s 1440, September 1.
- 1st.
- Note all you say in this and preceding recent cables regarding position United States pending decision on treaty ratification; also after ratification or refusal to ratify. Peculiar [sic] is approved. Your use of adjective delicate is also approved. Shall try to cable you later analysis situation for comparison your views and for your suggestions. At present I derive more pleasure from occasionally reserving all rights United States than I should from attempting to state them myself. Such statement so far successfully avoided.
- 2d.
- What are treaty stipulations to which you refer which specifically mention United States as beneficiary?
- 3d.
- Recognize fully clear understanding about army costs also legal rights. Nevertheless will readily accept bets on question your embarrassment when you reach actual point of taking three or four hundred million dollars or more cash out of Germany or Allies. For this reason still emphasize desirability stopping further increase this liability if possible.
- 4th.
- Powers understand fully Congress must decide about ship and Alien Custodian balances but this will not prevent either them or Germany from [gazing] longingly at this tempting fruit.
- 5th.
- Germany announces vociferously at regular intervals she has already paid twenty milliards. Bradbury expressed opinion she had perhaps paid six to eight. Nobody knows. My guess of no value. Seems now quite well accepted presumption everything must be credited under 235. Boyden.
Wallace