851.51/332
The Secretary of State to the French President of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs (Poincaré)
Mr. President of the Council: Mr. Herrick did not fail to deliver into my hands your letter of July 19, last. The fact that you had written me in this personal manner has afforded me the greatest satisfaction. Permit me to express my deep appreciation of your most friendly sentiments, which I heartily reciprocate, and to assure you of my, keen and sympathetic interest in the matters which we both have so much at heart.
I have been struck with what you have so frankly stated respecting the heavy financial burdens which have now to be met by your Treasury in order to satisfy the pressing needs of reconstruction, and the fact that the receipts which were expected to furnish an offset to these heavy charges have been forthcoming only in part. The situation of your Treasury in this respect has been set before the World War Foreign Debt Commission by Mr. Parmentier and you may rest assured that it will receive within the limitations of their authority, every consideration in the most friendly and helpful spirit by the Commission.
[Page 413]Permit me to express the hope and confidence that the severe exigency with which France is confronted will be met in such a manner as to afford to France that ultimate and abiding security which will flow from a reasonable and practical solution consistent with the economic recuperation of Europe and the conservation of peace upon which the welfare not only of Europe but of the whole world must depend. I am mindful of the difficulties which beset any possible course, but I am constrained to believe that the path to this full economic recovery through an early and practicable settlement is the one which alone can lead to the prosperity which the friends of France so much desire for her as well as to the greatest benefit of all the peoples concerned. To this end I shall be happy to render all proper assistance.
Please accept [etc.]