462.00 R 296/498: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Kellogg) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 14—3:40 p.m.]
345. (1) I wish to refer Department to previous communications from me informing of MacDonald’s intention to exclude from conference any discussion of division of German payments under Dawes Plan. French note August 2 proposed meeting of Finance Ministers at early date for this purpose and contained suggestions which the British felt to be unacceptable; hence their proposal for an informal meeting to consider the French proposal, the idea being that at this meeting satisfactory terms of reference will be formulated. Our participation in this meeting and in others is accepted.
I feel confident that this London Conference will undertake no commitments regarding division of payments, and whole subject will be left open for meeting of Finance Ministers. Of course I shall protest any restriction in terms of reference which would militate against a free discussion of our claims, but on the other hand a commitment in favor of our claims is not probable. I can insist on participation in the finance conference, but not on participation in division of payments unless latter subject comes before me.
(2) If necessity should arise, I can make reserve and state that views of my Government will be communicated to Allied Governments as soon as possible. I have already given notification of our position to the conference by my note of August 5 (see my telegram no. 314, the same day) and again in oral statement on August 12. It does not seem to me likely that the conference can be held together on this issue alone if all other matters are finished, but in my opinion it is not likely that business before the conference can be completed before Saturday at the earliest.48
(3) To inject a new and difficult issue at this critical moment might disrupt conference and afford an opportunity to lay blame on the United States.
(4) The informal meeting of the Finance Ministers planned for this morning was canceled on account of conference business.
- The London Reparation Conference adjourned on Aug. 16. The delegates reassembled on Aug. 30 to sign the agreements concluded at the conference.↩