462.00 R 29/12: Telegram

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

254. For Department and Davis.

R–246. Following summary of inaugural sitting Reparation Commission held at 3 to-day.

1st.
In the presence of following delegates and assistant delegates; Bradbury and Levick, Great Britain; Jonnart and Mauclère, France; Bertolini and d’Amelio, Italy; Theunis and Bemelmans, Belgium, and Rathbone and Logan, United States, as invited guests, and only one secretary per delegation; French Premier Millerand made allocution, saluting delegates and expressing appreciation of magnitude of their task. Italian delegate responded, thanking Millerand for his presence. Verification of credentials followed, Rathbone stating United States had no official representation nor credentials; French delegate replying that American representatives were present by unanimous invitation of delegates.
2d.
Millerand, American delegation, and secretaries having withdrawn, remaining delegates proceeded to elect Jonnart, French delegate, chairman of Commission and Bertolini, Italian delegate, vice chairman. Then French delegate and assistant delegate requested Rathbone and Logan to take their seats and participate in work of Commission and Rathbone accepted to do so unofficially.
3d.
Commission approved project of provisional organization, and, on British proposal elected Salter general secretary; and, on French proposal Bergery, and, on Belgian proposal, Denis assistants to general secretary.
4th.
Establishment committee appointed to deal with questions of personnel consisting of [National General Secretary] of each delegation, though delegates and assistant delegates retain right to be present.
5th.
Standing orders and draft budget and notification of Commission’s constitution to powers concerned and demand on Germany for first installment for Commission expenses also discussed, but no important decision reached. Rathbone.
Wallace