462.00 R 296/969: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Herrick)
140. L–233 for Hill.25 Your L–362, March 12, 5 p.m.26
Treasury regards the amount of Belgium’s pre-armistice debt to the United States as a question solely between the two governments [Page 532] and states that while Germany’s obligation to make payments on account of Belgium war debts is governed by Article 232,27 the determination by the Reparation Commission of the amount of Belgium’s debt to the United States does not fix the amount due from Belgium to the United States.
Treasury agrees that United States cannot properly object to action of the Commission under Article 232 but desires that the position of the United States be made clear to the Belgian Government that in accepting from Belgium payments made to the latter by Germany under Article 232 of the Treaty and Article 4 of the Agreement of January 14, the United States is in no way committed to the decision of the Reparation Commission as to the amount of the debt owed by Belgium to the United States.
The Treasury believes that you should take appropriate steps to inform the Belgian Government through Gutt of its position as set forth above and you are authorized in your discretion so to do.