740.00119 European War 1939/9–844: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
2176. ReEmbs 3383 September 8. With regard to the article on reparation the Department finds itself in almost complete agreement with the British position. It is felt that while Rumania should be obligated to pay reparation, the details of the settlement and especially the amount should be left as open as possible.
Our reasons for this position, which you may explain to the Russians, are that because of the interest which all the Allies have in the reparation recoverable from each enemy country and because of the economic interrelationships of the reparation paying and receiving countries, the reparation settlements with all enemy countries should be decided jointly after discussion and deliberation by the United States, United Kingdom and Soviet Union rather than unilaterally and should be treated as related parts of one broad problem.
If it is impossible to obtain any concession from the Soviet Government you may agree to the reparation article in its present form. In the latter event you should make it clear that this Government does not consider its action in agreeing to the Russian reparation demands on Rumania as setting a precedent in any way for the reparation settlements with Germany or other satellite countries.