462.00R296/2622: Telegram

The Chargé in France ( Armour ) to the Secretary of State

32. Reparation 175.

1. Have just received letter from Reparation Commission reading as follows:

“My Dear Mr. Wilson:3a I enclose herewith the text of a communication which, if you see no objection, it is desired that you should make to the United States Government on behalf of the Reparation Commission and the German Government, with respect to the appointment of United States citizens as members of the Experts Committee. (Signed) F. Chapsal.”

The communication in question reads as follows:

“The six Governments having selected Messrs. Owen D. Young and John Pierpont Morgan as members of the Committee of Experts to be established according to the decision reached at Geneva on September 16, 1928,4 the German Government and the Reparation Commission propose to appoint them accordingly. The mandate of this committee is fixed as follows: ‘The German, Belgian, French, British, Italian and Japanese Governments, in pursuance of the decision reached at Geneva on September 16, 1928, whereby it was agreed to set up a Committee of Independent Financial Experts, hereby entrust to the Committee the task of drawing up proposals for a complete and final settlement of the reparation problem: these proposals shall include a settlement of the obligations resulting from the existing treaties and agreements between Germany and the creditor powers. The Committee shall address its report to the Governments which took part in the Geneva decision and also to the Reparation Commission.’ The German Government and the Reparation Commission on behalf of the powers which it represents desire to inquire whether the United States Government sees any objection to such appointments.”

2. Have received identical letter and communication from Kriegslasten Kommission signed Boden. (Boden is in chargé of the Kriegslasten Kommission in Ruppel’s absence.)

3. The Committee is very anxious to make the appointments as soon as possible and, without in any way wishing to press the United States Government for a reply, is hoping to hold a meeting for that purpose on the afternoon of Saturday the 19th. If it were possible to furnish me with the text of the reply by that time it would, I am sure, be greatly appreciated by the Commission.

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4. I understand that British Foreign Office had by last night received replies from all Governments concerned agreeing on selection of Young and Morgan and that it had instructed Sir Esme Howard to approach them asking if they would serve on Committee. It will be noted that the procedure mentioned in paragraph 1 [of] my Separation 1735 has been expedited to the extent that action has now been taken by the Reparation Commission without waiting for the answer from Howard as to whether the American experts are willing to serve. This change was made by the Commission in agreement with the British Foreign Office, as it was felt that the replies from the Governments constituted the selection of the Americans and that this was all that was necessary before proceeding to consult with United States Government.

Armour
  1. Telegram in two sections.
  2. Edwin C. Wilson, First Secretary of Embassy in France, and American unofficial representative on the Reparation Commission.
  3. See the London Times, September 17, 1928, p. 12.
  4. Not printed.