New-York tribune., 1921-02-23
" 1t " 7. Y NLA Q,
WOODROW WILSON
"D. LLOED GEORGE
Wilson ExDlains


In ending to you that Con
ress take appropriate action with re-
CARA to this agreement, certain facts
aould be brought to your attention, ~
sad the Presidents message to Con-
gfess.
the neutrality of Belgium was
guaranteed by the Treaty OF London OF
N5s In considering TIE reparation
De made by Germany it was agree d
a4l the action OF Germany in grossly
nnGlatng tbs treaty by an attack on
Seiglum Obligated the German govern
aeas under international law to repay
neIglnn tie 20 IS of war
q, On this principle the Treaty of
versailles (Article 1922 provided that
u accordance with German 5 pledges
Ssueaay given as to the complete res
@fatlon tor Belgium, German should
aaaertaKe, III addition TO the compen-
ar m"tr rial damage, to make
reimbursement Of all sums which Bel
gum had borrowed from the Allied
~ao associated governments up to No
yenber II, 1915, together with inter
eS' at per cent per annum on each
sum- This obligation was to be dis
slpr"ed BY q specie' issue Of bearer
M m7rFs on May l, 1926, or at the
spslon Of the German government on
VIC hrst OF May in any year up to 1926.
Interest Payments
For various reasons the undertake
Mg dehned in the above letter was not
snoodled in the treaty. Belgium q
o9lgations to the United States for
au'ahees made up to the date of the
e-Im'Stlce -Ia, amounted to approximately
g.'1iOVO,00O, and to England and
.,aaee they amounted, l am informed,
= ABOUT Sl64 100000. In view of the
spsc'ai circumstances in which Belgium
sSCame involved in the war and the at
s.'uoe OF this country toward Belgium,
maS leit that the United States might
~ .n agree to make the same agree
sssia. respecting pre-armistice loans to
II tslum as England and France offered
II. advances made by the Treasury to
oe'glan government from the be-
s,@uiug OF the war TO the armistice
nsgiVunted hi united to $171, 100000. This princi-
sIao sam' .da' however, includes advances Of
fS,aVo Il made to enable the Belgians
Io,s@y the interest due November is.
os.s oI ana Sl,5Tl ,468.42 20 enable the
lsie e'a5 r OF the interest due Nav is,
bsor me interest on the advances has
iD,s,.!p.aid paid up to April is. 1919, the
dsto dts'gst b due from May Is. 1918, to that
5sn. aaying been paid out of Treasury
k0ISss Il Tor which the United States
eyss S neigian obligations, which, how
NIs were made after November II.
lstsa,r ~e date of the armistice. This
Ma ,o @uYaace would not come within
siopssSSF sSFns Of the agreement above men
,,.t6' 4 therefore, the United States ac-
given payment of Belgian obligations
ing oore ne1ore the armistice by receiv-
ratSinrresponding amount of German
should IT would seem that it
anopr., receive German obligations
tson Ing Ing to $l71 ,780,0 900 with interest
land oagh it is understood +ba+ Fng.
M h b'I r france Will take their snare
67 ;IeFman bonds when received
Reparass;sSam' l am informed that the
Saally Ans 5o. Commission has not as vet
issuapeaa determined the details Of the
Aa Gs,,ot ot the necessary bonds by
Aeadatinaa government. A recon-
tegislsfSy'" at This time that suitable
appesr action should be taken NAV
Flew Of a9,htaewhat ,h premature. but in
NY Adn,Su Adms approaching termination
Sls naaltsn m lStration, have brought
Eaat sas,sh, sas,T to your attention. honinr
4 actIon may be taken" !"