462.00R296/5571: Telegram

The Ambassador in Germany (Sackett) to the Secretary of State

66. Your No. 31 of March 23rd. Foreign Office states that Germany will pay tomorrow the interest installment former postponed mixed claims but that great importance is attached to protracting [Page 619] negotiations dealing with army costs in order to avoid further commitments of principle or precedent in respect of intergovernmental debts prior to general reparations conference. The question also has important domestic political implications particularly at this moment. It would be most convenient to the German Government if formula could be found for postponement of these negotiations.

Sackett