Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

740.00119 EW/11–1545: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffery)

Washington, December 5, 1945—7 p.m.

5682. For Angell No. 46. Deptel 5244, Nov 9 for Angell 15; urtel 6602, Nov 15 from Angell 54.¹⁰ Since German reparations shares of small countries are to be negotiated within residual percentage available for distribution after shares of U.K., U.S. and French reparation receipts from Germany agreed upon, Dept feels that it should be possible to secure some recognition of Greek and Yugoslav claims against Italy when these small countries’ shares are determined without reopening whole question of French share of German reparations. Since any benefit Greece and Yugoslavia might derive from such recognition would be within residual and since French share of German reparations will have been previously agreed upon, such additional support of Greek and Yugoslav claims as contemplated by Dept could have no effect on French share. Dept feels that, in any case, recognition of claims against Italy in manner suggested for Greek and Yugoslav claims should be confined to small countries and not extended to major powers which will claim major share of reparations from Germany.

Dept’s view is that any claim Albania might be invited to submit against Germany should not be weighted to take account of possible Albanian claim against Italy. Albania not devastated by Italy as were Greece and Yugoslavia; rather, Albanian economy was recipient of various Italian improvements in that country.

Byrnes

10. Latter not printed; in this telegram Mr. Angell expressed the belief that any discussion of weighting the Greek and Yugoslav claims against Germany in the light of Italy’s inability to pay reparations would elicit from France a request for similar weighting of its claims. He also inquired whether any potential Albanian claim should be so weighted. (740.00119 EW/11–1545)