800.51W89 Belgium/264
Memorandum by the Economic Adviser (Feis)
By instruction of the Secretary, I put before the Belgian Ambassador this morning the suggestion that his Government consider making some payment to this Government on debt account in the form of delivery of radium to be used in American hospitals and similar institutions for humanitarian purposes. I explained the thought underlying this proposal in substantially the same terms as was explained to the British Ambassador. In response to his question as to whether similar suggestions were being put before other governments. I informed him for the confidential information of his Government that a proposal of similar import had been transmitted to the British Government. I explained that in selecting these two governments in this first approach on the subject we had been guided by the fact that the materials in question seemed most clearly desirable and the operation most feasible, and that no other strategic idea had presented itself. He said he would convey the suggestion to his Government promptly, and was sure that it would receive the most thoughtful consideration.