462.00 R 296/843: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State

32. L–310 [from Logan], Reference paragraph 3 your L–186, January 3. Tentative agreement provides for reimbursement Belgian war debt as follows:

  • “(a) As from the 1st of May 1921, 5 percent of the total sums available for reparations in any year shall be applied to the reimbursement of the Belgian war debt as defined in the last paragraph of article 232 of the Treaty of Versailles.
  • (b) Of the amounts so applied in any year France shall receive 46 percent, Great Britain 42 percent, and Belgium 12 percent.
  • (c) The amounts due under this head between 1st May, 1921 and 1st September, 1924 shall be treated as arrears in drawing up the accounts of the various powers as at the 1st of September 1924.”

The 12 percent covers Belgian debt to United States. [Paraphrase.] Twelve percent is correct as compared with the percentage allotted to France and Great Britain on account of their share of the Belgian debt. [End paraphrase.] Logan.

Herrick