600.0031 World Program/239: Telegram

The Ambassador in Belgium ( Gibson ) to the Secretary of State

127. Department’s 67, December 29, 5 p.m. Went over points in your telegram with Van Zeeland this morning. He is in full agreement [Page 693] with the desirability of fuller and more systematic invocatory principles as suggested by you and will set about drafting such a statement today. I furnished him a copy of your Buenos Aires speech.

He is also in agreement as to stressing your ideas about putting increased emphasis on your second suggestion concerning bilateral arrangements.

He feels that he has expressed himself badly in his draft if it has given you the impression that he advocates the use of American capital in the form of loans or advances. He states that he is more than ever convinced that American loans to Europe, far from being helpful would further complicate the situation. He feels that from careful examination of his memorandum it will appear that he has something in mind that is quite different and free from your objections with which he is in hearty agreement. In the meantime he will reexamine his drafting with a view to seeing whether this cannot be brought out more clearly.

Gibson