462.00 R 294/293: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State
519. L–57. Your L–23, December 13. Department’s instructions have been noted in regard to claim on Bulgarian reparation payments for army costs only if these payments are credited to Germany’s reparation account. I concur wholly in Department’s view that the United States can not demand that these payments be so credited.
With reference to paragraph (3) the Department’s attention is directed to article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles, by which Germany is made responsible for all the damage caused either by her or by her allies and to the schedule of payments of May 3, 1921, which fixes the global sum of all damage at 132 billion gold marks with the express proviso that Germany should receive credit on this grand total with any sums received from other enemy or ex-enemy powers the credit for which the Commission may decide should be given to Germany. As Bulgaria was an ally, Germany is liable under article 231 for damage done by Bulgaria, and this damage is deemed to be included in the total sum of 132 billions; the commission may, in consequence, credit Bulgarian payments to Germany if it choose to do so. Bulgaria receives credit anyway on her separate account. Your reference to article 121 of the Treaty of Neuilly has been noted, but I suggest that the controlling provisions for present purposes are articles 231 and 233 of the Treaty of Versailles and schedule of payments of May 3, 1921.
It is entirely feasible both practically and legally to make Germany liable for damages done by Bulgaria without making Bulgaria liable for damages done by Germany, and likewise it is entirely feasible to credit Germany as well as Bulgaria with the amount of Bulgarian payments. No injury could be done to Bulgaria thereby.
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- Logan
- Herrick
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