800.51 W 89France/48: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Herrick ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:57 p.m.]
618. Clémentel called on me this morning and stated that he greatly regretted and was at a loss to understand the impression which his inventory has made in the United States. He said that the principal reason for the publication of the inventory was to prepare French public opinion for the realization that France must [Page 138] pay the sums she owes. He stated that far from suggesting any idea of repudiation his report repeatedly affirmed the responsibility of France for her debts and in support of his statements cited to me pages 72, 73, 74, 75 and 252 of his report. A translation of excerpts from these pages reads as follows:
“The possible opening of these negotiations does not permit us today to elucidate this problem in such a manner as it requires, the preparation of France’s dossier not being, moreover, finished yet. Nevertheless we must not fail to show briefly at this time the principal elements of this question in order to reserve for the interallied debts in the general balance sheet of our country the real place and importance which should be assigned to them.
And if in the scales in which shall be measured the contribution of each state to the common victory the blood which was shed cannot be weighed, at least France can hope that the rank which she occupies on the long list of sorrows and devastations will give her the right to legitimate consideration in a domain where the granting of compensations is to be considered.
France does not intend to repudiate any of the contracts which she has agreed to and her signature will always be sacred to her. But she is convinced that an appeal to the sentiments of justice which have grouped around her so many nations during all the war will not remain in vain; she is convinced that her allies and her friends will respond to the hopes which she places in their lofty conscience and their sentiments of justice and solidarity.
Upon the extinction of the debts adjusted on a fair basis taking into account all the elements which affect them according to the very terms of the last Paris agreement, terms confirmed by the Prime Minister of Great Britain in his closing speech at the London conference, terms in which can be found the thought which inspired the proposal of Bonar Law and Lord Curzon, she will devote her patient and courageous effort. Thus will be vindicated the confidence which all the lenders of the world have placed in the word of a people which has not ceased for 10 years to give proofs of its energy and [self-denial].
The settlement of interallied debts is still in abeyance and we cannot figure out today the burden which we shall be called upon to assume on this account after a careful study in all loyalty with our great Allies who we are certain would wish to bring to this settlement the cordial spirit of solidarity which united us on the battlefield in the defense of the common [cause].
Moreover, the application of the principles of the Dawes plan which subordinates the payments of a debtor state to its capacity of payment and to the possibility of making transfers without weakening its exchange and damaging its national economy on the one hand, on the other hand the necessity of subordinating the payments to the collection of Germany’s settlements give us the certainty that a liberal moratorium and long delays will be granted to us for the payment of the debt which it shall have appeared fair and legitimate to hold us liable for.
It does not appear therefore that during the coming years the equilibrium which we have laboriously established will be prejudiced.”
Have received first two sections of your 493, December 30, 5 [8] p.m., and in conversation with Clémentel this morning I made citations to him of these portions of his report referred to in your cable. He requested a copy of the citations and at my suggestion will telegraph Jusserand detailed explanation. He appeared very upset at what he repeatedly assured me was the entirely mistaken impression that his report has given in the United States. He said that the whole report must be read together to get its real meaning.