Instructions for the guidance of American diplomatic representatives in their relations with Soviet representatives in countries to which Refusal by the Department of State to support the Sinclair Exploration Company against interference by Japanese authorities in Northern Protests by the Soviet authorities against unauthorized entry of American Government vessels into Soviet waters. . Communist propaganda in the United States directed from Russia. Unauthorized assistance by the American Embassy in Spain in securing for American interests exclusive telephone rights in Spain . Efforts by the Department of State to obtain ratification of the treaties concluded between the United States and Turkey on August 6, 1923 . . 709 Efforts to protect American interests in Turkey pending ratification of the treaty of August 6, 1923 . Assurances to Great Britain that the American Government would LIST OF PAPERS [Unless otherwise specified, the correspondence is from or to officials in the Department of State.] GERMANY INSISTENCE BY THE UNITED STATES UPON ITS RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF GERMAN REPARATION PAYMENTS UNDER THE DAWES PLAN Date and Subject Page 1924 Feb. 23 (58) Feb. 28 (93) Mar. 7 (77) Mar. 12 (114) To the Ambassador in France (tel.) For Logan: Possibility that the recommendations of the first committee of experts will provide for utilization of all of Germany's available assets in compensation for claims of other Allied and Associated Powers without taking into consideration American rights to reimbursement of Army costs and payments of claims adjudicated by the Mixed Claims Commission under the agreement of August 10, 1922, with Germany. View that if a moratorium is recommended and if current army costs are exempted therefrom, an arrangement should also be made exempting a certain definite amount, say onetwelfth of the total under the agreement of May 25, 1923, as an annual payment on account of American Army costs; also that the United States is entitled to compensation of $500,000,000 or whatever amount the Mixed Claims Commission may finally determine. Instructions to inform Dawes and Owen Young, adding that the United States would view with disapproval any settlement of the reparation problem which did not take into proper account its legitimate claims while providing for claims of other powers. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) From Logan: Information that the experts' committee is to deal with the manner and amount of German payments and has neither the intention nor competence to deal with the question of distribution. Belief that broadest interests of Ú. S. Government are best protected by refraining at this time from interjecting U. S. claims into the discussion of the committees of experts and by encouraging the reaching of a solution of the economic and financial phases of the problem by the committees of experts. Intention not to inform Dawes and Owen Young concerning Department's views unless instructed to do so. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) For Logan: Reason why Dawes and Owen Young should be advised of Department's Army costs plan and the provisions of the agreement of May 25, 1923. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) From Logan: Report that Dawes and Owen Young are aware of the views and position of the U. S. Government and that they will endeavor to protect U. S. interests in the drafting of the experts' report. Suggestion that if there is no success in obtaining a favorable drafting, the United States might make reservations when report is acted upon by the Reparation Commission. 1 3 5 7 GERMANY INSISTENCE BY THE UNITED STATES UPON ITS RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF GERMAN REPARATION PAYMENTS UNDER THE DAWES PLAN-Continued Mar. 15 To the Ambassador in France (tel.) (91) Mar. 22 (139) Apr. 12 (326) Apr. 17 (147) Apr. 18 (102) Apr. 23 May 12 (253) For Logan: Explanation that the Department's purpose in pressing its views was to avoid the necessity of making any protest against the report. Instructions, however, to make appropriate representations before the Reparation Commission should the nature of the report, or any understandings which accompany it, or the action of the Commission, be such as to embarrass the U. S. Government in the protection of American claims. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) From Logan: Information that the draft report of the second committee protects U. S. Army costs but leaves unprotected the Mixed Claims Commission position of the United States; that Dawes and Owen Young are working on the matter but have met strong opposition to a provision for meeting the judgments of the Mixed Claims Commission, the general feeling being that the U. S. equity on that account is secured and the U. S. position protected by the German holdings of the Alien Property Custodian. From the British Ambassador. Information that the British Government is prepared to support the experts' report in its entirety, provided all the other parties concerned are willing to take the same course and agree to give the experiment a real chance, waiting to make modifications until experience has been acquired and then only by common agreement. (Note sent also to Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan.) From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Efforts of British Prime Minister to obtain absolute unanimity for an unconditional acceptance of the experts' report; his receipt of absolute assurances from Germany and Italy and noncommittal replies from Belgium and France; his suggestion that the U. S. Government support his efforts by some statement approving or praising the experts' report. To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Information that President Coolidge will deal appropriately with subject of experts' report in his speech at meeting of Associated Press in New York, April 22. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) Excerpts from President Coolidge's speech of April 22 (text printed) commending experts' report (Dawes Plan) and recommending American participation in proposed loan to Germany. (Instructions to repeat to Berlin, Brussels, London, and Rome.) From the Ambassador in France (tel.) From Logan: Opinion that the present time is especially favorable for asserting U. S. claim for share in proposed payments under the experts' plan. Suggestion that the claim be based on broad grounds of equity rather than legal grounds. Recommendation as to Department's position on disposition of enemy property, crediting on claims of value of German cables transferred to United States, and priority of claims for Army costs and awards of Mixed Claims Commission. Page 8 10 11 12 13 13 16 GERMANY INSISTENCE BY THE UNITED STATES UPON ITS RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF GERMAN REPARATION PAYMENTS UNDER THE DAWES PLAN-Continued Date and Subject Page 1924 June 14 (181) June 14 (182) June 18 (220) June 23 (310) June 24 (174) June 24 (223) June 24 (224) June 25 (225) To the Ambassador in France (tel.) For Logan: Advice that the United States expects to share in payments made by Germany under the Dawes Plan, basing its claim on equities of United States as a cobelligerent rather than upon legal rights under treaty with Germany and upon reference in section 11, part I, of the Dawes Plan to "all amounts for which Germany may be liable to the Allied and Associated Powers." Proposed position regarding Army costs, disposition of enemy property, ships, cables, and maximum current army costs. Request for views on proposals and for suggestions as to time and manner of indicating to Allied Powers the U. S. claims. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) For Logan: Information as to how the Department reached the views set forth in telegram no. 181, June 14, 1 p. m. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Prime Minister's intimation that after his interview with Herriot, June 21, there will be a meeting of Prime Ministers and the United States will be invited to have a representative present. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) From Logan: Suggestion that the Department's announcement of U. S. claim to participation under the Dawes Plan be deferred until results of Herriot-MacDonald conference and scope of inter-Allied conference set for July 16 are known. Comments on Department's proposed position. To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Instructions to inform Prime Minister that the United States does not see its way clear to be represented at the meeting of the Prime Ministers but will take pleasure in instructing Mr. Logan to be present in London at the time of the meeting for purposes of information. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Receipt of a British memorandum urging American participation in the meeting of the Prime Ministers at London, July 16. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) British memorandum (text printed) outlining provisions of a protocol to give effect to the recommendations of the Dawes report which will be discussed at the meeting of the Prime Ministers at London, July 16, and urging U. S. participation in the conference. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Opinion that refusal of invitation would have a depressing effect; also that its withdrawal seems impossible, as the Prime Minister has announced in Parliament that the invitation would be extended. GERMANY INSISTENCE BY THE UNITED STATES UPON ITS RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF GERMAN REPARATION PAYMENTS UNDER THE DAWES PLAN-Continued Date and Subject Page 1924 June 25 To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) (176) June 27 (179) June 28 (205) Decision to adopt a somewhat different course regarding Note for Foreign Office (text printed) stating that the (Instructions to repeat to Belgium, Italy, and France, requesting latter to give copy to Logan.) To the Ambassador in France (tel.) For Logan: Further specific information as to Department's proposed position. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) 38 From Logan: Comments and suggestions regarding Department's proposed position. July 5 (216) To the Ambassador in France (tel.) 40 For Logan: Further clarification of Department's proposed position. 42 July 5 (217) July 8 (333) To the Ambassador in France (tel.) For Logan: Draft note for the Allied Powers (text printed) stating that, in view of the provision in the experts' report that the payments contemplated comprise amounts for which Germany is liable to Allied and Associated Powers for war costs and pursuant to the treaty between the United States and Germany proclaimed in 1921, the United States desires to reach an understanding with the Allied Governments in order that its and their claims may be paid suitably; also that the United States would be glad to be informed when and how it is proposed to consider apportionment among the Allied and Associated Powers. Instructions to consult Ambassadors at London and Paris and report suggestions or whether any objection is perceived to submitting such a note at this time. (Instructions to repeat to Great Britain.) From the Ambassador in France (tel.) From Logan: Alternative draft note verbale (text printed); recommendation, however, that the United States reserve all formal communications to Allies on subject of U. S. claims until after the London Conference, taking the precaution to instruct the American Ambassador at London on the attitude to be taken if question of distribution were to come before conference. 43 |