855.413/20
The Chargé in Belgium (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 20.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s instruction No. 191 of February 13, 1929, regarding the intention of the American Battle Monuments Commission to undertake certain work of a memorial nature in Belgium.
After extended negotiations a representative of the Battle Monuments Commission and the Ministry of Finance have reached agreement on the text of a proposed convention between the American [Page 12] and Belgian Governments for the acquisition of sites for monuments to be erected in Belgium. This text was transmitted to the Embassy by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by note of June 27, 1929, (enclosed in copy and translation)15 with the request that it be submitted to the consideration of the American Government. The text of the proposed convention is also enclosed herewith16 and the Embassy has been informed that it is approved in its entirety by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
It will be observed that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs expresses the hope that the Department will be good enough, if the text of the convention meets with its approval, to confer regarding its signature with the Belgian Ambassador in Washington, who has been duly instructed in the premises.
I have [etc.]