851.014/6–247
The Department of State to the British Embassy
The Department of State acknowledges receipt of the British Embassy’s aide-mémoire of June 255 in which the views of the United States Government are sought with respect to a proposed tripartite agreement for the early integration of the Saar into the economic and monetary system of France.
After receipt of the British aide-mémoire the Department of State was informed by the French Embassy that on the night of June 7–8 French customs officials would take up their posts along a revised frontier line and that a plan of currency conversion within the territory so defined would be announced on June 10 and become effective on June 15. The Department understands that public announcement of these measures has now been made by the French Government.
The British Embassy is doubtless informed that the Secretary of State in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers on April 10 proposed to his three colleagues the immediate detachment of the Saar from Germany and its incorporation into the economy of France on condition that appropriate modifications be introduced into the level of German industry and that equitable adjustment be made in French claims for reparation payments from Germany. At that time the Secretary of State expressed his willingness to agree to minor rectifications of the boundaries of the Saar territory as delimited in 1919 provided such rectifications could be clearly justified. The proposal advanced by the Secretary of State in Moscow continues to be the policy of the Government of the United States.
The Secretary of State has informed the Ambassador of France that the Government of the United States has taken note of the administrative [Page 1084] changes introduced into the French zone of occupation in these past days with the understanding, which has been confirmed by the French Embassy, that these changes are not intended by the Government of France to prejudice the final delimitation of the Saar territory, a decision which is reserved for the peace settlement with Germany.
With respect to the boundary question the Department of State, on the basis of a preliminary study of the lines described in notes of the French Embassy dated May 20 and 22, is not disposed at the present time to reject the frontier determined by the French authorities. Likewise the Department has no wish to protest the projected introduction of a new currency for the Saar.
The Department is informed that M. Alphand of the French Foreign Office is proceeding to London to discuss with the British Foreign Office reparations adjustments affecting the Saar. The Department would appreciate being informed of the results of these conversations.