Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1923, Volume II

467.11 W 89/39: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol)

[Paraphrase]

Washington, December 13, 1923—4 p.m.

227. Your telegram 325 of December 10.

1. Department prefers that arrangement take the form of an exchange of letters rather than of a formal document which both parties would sign. Since the latter procedure would resemble a claims agreement in form but not in substance, it might give the impression that a claims agreement had been reached, an impression which would not stand analysis. Another point is that there is nothing in the proposed arrangement upon which Senate action would be required, and the Department would not wish to have a form adopted which would give the impression that such action was required.

2. The Department would prefer to have the organization to be established designated a “committee” instead of a “commission.” In view of the limited powers which the American and Turkish representatives would have under the proposed arrangement the term “commission” is not deemed appropriate.

3. Considering the length of time which it will take to prepare the claims in detail, the Department believes it necessary that provision be made for the setting up of the committee within six months after the ratifications of the treaty are exchanged and for the submission to it of all claims within one year after it is set up, rather than within the periods suggested in the arrangement, as outlined in your telegram under reference.

4. The Department cannot concur in the final paragraph of part 1 of your telegram. Naturally it would not wish by untimely publicity to handicap the future discussions of the claims committee, and it would not be inclined to give publicity while the negotiations were in progress, but any agreement that secrecy be preserved, unless and until the Turks should withdraw this restriction, would be open to serious misconstruction in the United States. Also it might lead to embarrassment should Turkey under the proposed secrecy agreement oppose the desire of the American Government to make its attitude on the question of claims clear, even in the event of the failure of the preliminary negotiations. The secrecy provision would not find favor with public opinion in this country and might even seriously affect the ratification of our treaty with Turkey. It is necessary to have that provision eliminated.

5. The suggestion that each Government appoint two members of the committee is favored by the Department.

The Department is willing to authorize an arrangement along the lines proposed with the changes suggested above.

Use every possible means to expedite negotiations and submit revised draft of agreement to Department for final approval before signing.

Hughes