§ 49. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether the United States. Government have demanded from the reparations pool the cost of maintaining, their troops in Germany; and whether His Majesty's Government are in agreement with this demand, seeing that it will tend to hasten the evacuation of the Rhineland by Allied troops and the reconstruction of Germany?
Mr. YOUNGThe Allied Finance Ministers, during the recent Conference in Paris, received a memorandum on this-question from the unofficial representative of the United States Government on the Reparation Commission. They replied that, in their opinion, it would be desirable that the question should be dealt with by means of communications-addressed to the Allied Governments by the United States Government through diplomatic channels. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the American memorandum, and the reply of the Finance Ministers.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIn this matter, are we working in collaboration with the American Government in making this demand?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we supporting the American Government in this demand?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYIs the cost of the American troops greater than that of the French and English troops?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that question.
§ The memorandum and reply mentioned are as follow:
§ 16, Rue de Tillsitt,
§ Paris.
§ 10th March, 1922.
§ MEMORANDUM FOR THE FINANCE MINISTERS OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, ITALY AND BELGIUM.
§ I have this morning received a cable from Washington instructing me to point out to you that the United States Army costs up to 1st May, 1921, amount to approximately $241,000,000. The Allied Governments, with the possible exception of Great Britain, have received their Army costs in full up to 1st May, 1921, and the English Army costs are apparently to be met in full in connection with the present arrangements. In view of the foregoing, the Government of the United States expects to obtain full payment of the costs of its Army of Occupation, with interest from 1st May, 1921, before any part of German payments is distributed for reparations or other purposes.
§ With reference to current costs I am requested to state that the Government of the United States will insist upon full payment, but that, if assurance of payment is received, it anticipates no difficulty in arranging the practical details of making the payment.
§ (Signed) R. W. BOYDEN,
§ United States Unofficial Delegate,
§ Reparation Commission.
§ LETTER TO MR. BOYDEN.
§ The Finance Ministers of Belgium, Great Britain, France and Italy to Mr. R. W. Boyden, the Unofficial Delegate of the United States of America on the Reparation Commission.
§ 11th March, 1922.
§ SIR,—We have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the Memorandum placed before us by yourself under date of 10th March, regarding the payment of the costs of the American Army of Occupation.
2180§ Your communication has received our most serious consideration. You will find enclosed te text of the arrangement signed at Paris to-day. A special article has been added to this document in order to meet the points with which the Memorandum is concerned. While we have thus safeguarded all rights of the United States of America, whatever they may prove to be, we are of opinion that inasmuch as we are acting under the Treaty of Versailles, to which the Government of the United States of America are not a party, the question is one which concerns our respective Governments, and should be raised directly through diplomatic representations made by the Government of the United States of America to the Allied Governments.
§ We have the honour to be,
§ Sir,
§ Your obedient Servants,
| (Signed) | R. S. HORNE. |
| C. L. DE LASTEYRIE. | |
| C. THEUNIS. | |
| C. PEANO. |