800.51 W 89France/296: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Herrick ) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 5—10:45 a.m.]
173. It is alleged in press despatches that Congress intends to await French Parliament’s ratification before any action is taken on the debt agreement. I hope that this is not the case, since in my opinion prior ratification by the American Congress will facilitate ratification in France. Ever since the time of the Treaty of Versailles the French have been somewhat skeptical in regard to action by the Senate, and opponents of the agreement could use as an argument the possibility that it would not be ratified by the United States. French ratification will not be easy to obtain, and everything possible to facilitate the task of the French Government should be done.