GENERAL NEGOTIATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE WORLD WAR FOREIGN DEBT COMMISSION FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF DEBTS OWED THE UNITED STATES-Continued Date and number 1925 Sept. 2 (134) 1925 July 20 (273) ITALY- -continued Subject From the Ambassador in Italy (tel.) Foreign Office announcement of personnel of delegation to go to Washington in October to discuss debt settlement. Opinion of Italian press that Italy is unable to pay sums expected of her and will not undertake to do so. LATVIA Page 164 To the Minister in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania Information that the Latvian Minister in Washington has received instructions to negotiate debt-funding agreement, and that he has been introduced to the secretary of the World War Foreign Debt Commission, with a view to the inauguration of negotiations. 164 RUMANIA 1925 Feb. 16 (6) Feb. 18 (10) To the Minister in Rumania (tel.) Report of acceptance by various creditor nations of Rumanian proposal for refunding her relief debt. Department's desire for comments and opinion of Minister as to whether there is any reason why United States should not call upon Rumania to take steps toward a similar settlement of her debt to United States. From the Minister in Rumania (tel.) 165 165 Minister's opinion that there is no reason why United States should not press for a settlement. Feb. 20 (7) To the Minister in Rumania (tel.) 166 Department's decision not to make representations at present, and desire that initiative in the refunding matter should come from Rumania, if possible. Feb. 22 (12) 167 Mar. 17 (13) Mar. 31 (18) From the Minister in Rumania (tel.) Opinion that attitude of Minister of Finance will probably hamper any efforts to bring about refunding of debt. Report that only vague promises have been elicited so far. To the Minister in Rumania (tel.) Instructions to present note (text printed) expressing U. S. surprise at Rumania's apparent discrimination against United States in favor of other creditor nations, and declaring U. S. expectation of a prompt proposal from Rumania for refunding its indebtedness to United States. To the Minister in Rumania (tel.) Department's unfavorable attitude, made known in reply to an inquiry, toward any proposal for flotation of a loan either to Government of Rumania or any of its political subdivisions. Instructions to present an additional note to Foreign Office (text printed) if no suitable reply is received by April 3 to previous representations. 167 169 GENERAL NEGOTIATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE WORLD WAR FOREIGN DEBT COMMISSION FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF DEBTS OWED THE UNITED STATES-Continued RUMANIA-continued Date and number Subject Page 1925 Apr. 6 (29) Apr. 9 (745) Apr. 9 (22) Apr. 11 (24) July 18 (44) July 21 (66) July 27 (67) July 31 (45) Aug. 30 (72) From the Minister in Rumania (tel.) Minister's recommendation against too vigorous action at present because of Rumania's apparent sincere bid for American financial support, with corresponding advantages to United States. From the Minister in Rumania Foreign Office note, March 30 (text printed), in reply to Assertion that Department finds Rumanian note of March To the Minister in Rumania (tel.) Information that Rumanian Minister has been advised of U. S. representations to Rumania and informed of importance attached by U. S. Government to receiving early assurances from Rumania that appropriate action will be taken in regard to the funding of its indebtedness to United States. To the Chargé in Rumania (tel.) Advice from Rumanian Minister that his Government is shortly to make proposals to United States with respect to indebtedness. From the Chargé in Rumania (tel.) Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs (text_printed) that Rumania has decided to send a commission to Washington to examine bases on which an arrangement might be reached with United States. From the Chargé in Rumania (tel.) Desire of Mr. Culbertson, appointed Minister to Rumania, to know if Foreign Minister's oral statement is satisfactory reply to Department's representations for a definite proposal from Rumania. To the Chargé in Rumania (tel.) For Culbertson: Department's inability to regard oral statement as satisfactory reply; desire for written reply, giving definite information and assurances regarding the debt mission to United States. From the Chargé in Rumania (tel.) Foreign Minister's formal written note, presented August 29 (text printed), confirming Rumania's decision to send debt mission to United States; and his statement that mission will probably reach Washington about October 1. 169 170 172 173 174 175 175 176 176 GENERAL NEGOTIATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE WORLD WAR FOREIGN DEBT COMMISSION FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF DEBTS OWED THE UNITED STATES-Continued Date and number 1923 YUGOSLAVIA Subject Page Feb. 12 (1795) Apr. 27 (4) May 11 (6) 1924 From the Minister in the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Résumé of correspondence with Yugoslav officials regard- To the Minister in the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes Instructions to endeavor to impress upon Yugoslav Govern- (Footnote: Synopsis of correspondence in 1919 which From the Minister in the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Yugoslav decision to send a mission to Washington in the fall. (Footnote: Postponement of mission's departure until February 1924.) Mar. 18 From the Minister of the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and May 13 (14) 1925 Feb. 11 (2572) Mar. 9 (9) Slovenes Information that delegation will arrive in Washington on March 21, and inquiry as to day and hour when they may be presented to the Secretary. (Footnote: Secretary's reception of delegation on March 22 To the Minister in the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slo- Instructions to present note to Foreign Office (text printed) From the Minister in the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Promise of Minister of Finance to study question and reply From the Minister in the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Report that British Government has demanded Yugoslav 177 180 181 181 182 183 184 GENERAL NEGOTIATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE WORLD WAR FOREIGN DEBT COMMISSION FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF DEBTS OWED THE UNITED STATES-Continued YUGOSLAVIA-continued Date and number Subject Page 1925 Mar. 25 (11) May 17 (2680) Dec. 29 From the Minister in the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and 185 Finance Minister's request to know whether, if he accedes to British refunding demand, the United States will demand a similar reimbursement plan. (Footnote: Instructions to the Minister on April 8 to state From the Minister in the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Foreign Office note, May 14 (text printed), giving assurances From the Legation of the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Personnel of commission appointed by Yugoslav Govern- 186 188 INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE DISPOSITION OF THE PROPOSED LIBERATION BONDS OF THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN SUCCESSION STATES 1925 Jan. 21 From the Ambassador in France (tel.) (75) Jan. 22 (52) Jan. 27 (83) Feb. 6 (108) British memorandum, January 8, to be sent to the Ambassadors' Conference (text printed) proposing that conference reach decision on behalf of the several Governments concerned in regard to certain points raised by the Reparation Commission in connection with disposition of the proposed liberation bonds of the Austro-Hungarian succession states. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) Instructions to show telegram No. 75, January 21, to Logan (the U. S. unofficial representative on the Reparation Commission) and request him to cable comments as to any right or interest he may feel United States has in bonds in question. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) From Logan: Opinion, in view of considerations enumerated, that United States should take a definite stand. Suggestion that United States take no action in Conference of Ambassadors till March and then request that delivery of bonds be made to Reparation Commission as trustee, with instructions to the Commission to make no disposition of bonds or their proceeds except in agreement with United States. From the Chargé in France (tel.) Information that British memorandum has been adopted by Conference, subject to Chargé's reservation that no instructions have been received from United States. 189 190 190 192 75289-40-vol. 1 GENERAL INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE DISPOSITION OF THE PROPOSED LIBERATION BONDS OF THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN SUCCESSION STATES-Continued Date and number 1925 Feb. 7 (76) Feb. 9 (115) Feb. 17 (126) Feb. 24 (99) Feb. 24 (100) To the Chargé in France (tel.) Subject Department's regret that matter of liberation bonds was permitted to be acted upon by Conference pending Department's instructions. Inquiry as to whether it is to be understood that Conference will not reply to Reparation Commission along lines proposed in British memorandum until Chargé has received instructions as to U. S. views regarding British proposal. From the Chargé in France (tel.) Page 192 193 Information that Conference will not reply to Reparation 194 Draft resolution of British, French, and Italian Governments regarding liberation bonds (text printed). From the Ambassador in France (tel.) To the Ambassador in France (tel.) Instructions to inform Conference of U. S. views on draft resolution, stating that in view of U. S. claims against Austria and Hungary, the United States cannot concur in an instruction to Reparation Commission to hold bonds as trustee for British, French, and Italian Governments alone, but that any final disposition should be made only in agreement with United States. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) 194 195 For Logan: Department's desire for any information available on what may be intended in regard to distribution of C bonds or liberation bonds. Mar. 3 (150) From the Ambassador in France (tel.) 196 Mar. 10 (169) May 4 (262) May 5 (186) June 12 (326) Information that memorandum has been presented to Conference of Ambassadors in pursuance of instructions in telegram No. 99, February 24, and is being reserved for future discussion. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) From Logan: Information that C bonds have never been distributed, and understanding that distribution is not now contemplated. Statement that the only information available about possible distribution of liberation bonds is article 2 of the Spa Agreement. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) British suggestion to Conference that bonds be delivered to Reparation Commission without requesting it to hold them as trustee for any particular governments, as previously proposed. Opinion of Ambassador and Hill (delegated to assist Logan) that this is unsatisfactory. Request for instructions. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) Department's agreement that British suggestion is unsatisfactory, and instructions to insist upon U. S. view as set forth in telegram No. 99, February 24. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) Ambassador's opinion that as his role is only that of an observer at the Conference of Ambassadors, it will be difficult to prevent Conference from adopting British proposal, if it wishes. 196 197 198 198 |