462.00 R 296/13a: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Herrick)
For your information. In reply to inquiries, I have said that this Government’s proposal for commission of financial experts to consider [Page 203] reparations, as stated in my speech at New Haven and cabled you on December 29, would naturally useless unless it was acceptable to France, and that it was for French Government, who were acquainted fully with my suggestion, to act or not to act, as they desired. This Government, while wishing to assist in every possible way, does not desire to become a dictator or arbitrator in reparations problem. In placing suggestion before French Government, the Government of the United States feels that it has done all that it now can do to contribute to solution of the situation, the real control of which rests with other nations.
Repeat to London, Rome, Berlin, Brussels, and to Berne for Lausanne.