740.00119 EW/9–1345
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
Paris, September
13, 1945—2 p.m.
[Received September 14—12:40 p.m.]
[Received September 14—12:40 p.m.]
5472. For Clayton. Jacques Rueff, French Representative Allied Commission on Reparations, in conversation yesterday evening with member of my staff made following comments:
- 1.
- Statement of US reparations policy has been a most important development and has served to clarify situation vis-à-vis economic treatment of Germany. (Dept’s 4208 [4206], Sept 6, 7 p.m.29)
- 2.
- Inquiry was again made as to when US statement on restitution might be expected. (Embassy’s 5439, Sept 11, 5 p.m.)
- 3.
- French Provisional Govt is most anxious to settle the restitution question as soon as possible, preferably at London during meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers. Rueff believes that British are similarly disposed.
- 4.
- Rueff also said that it was highly desirable to reach prompt settlement of gold distribution question. If for any reason US Govt does not desire to settle matter in London the French Govt is prepared to send delegation to Washington for this purpose. Rueff believes that British Govt would be willing to do the same.
- 5.
- French Ambassador Washington30 has been instructed to take up with Dept question of settlement of restitution policy.
Sent Dept 5472; rptd to Moscow as 318; to London for Byrnes and Winant as 668 and to USPolAd for Murphy and Clay as 124.
Caffery