New-York tribune., 1921-02-19
Envoy, Quitting To-day, to
Present Note Explaining
Unofficial Status Makes
Corporation Impossible
Could Not Assist
In Treaty Changes
Participation Was Based
onPresumption America
Would Ratify Agreement

PARIS, Feb. IS (By The Associated
Press).-The United States govern
ment tomorrow will deliver to the
reparations commission declaration
explaining the governments with
drawal of its representative from the
commission,
The statement Of withdrawal. which
will be delivered by Roland w. Boyden,
of Beverly, Mass, who represented the
United States at the Brussels Financial
Congress in 1920, and who is now
withdrawn, will involve also the de-
parture of about twenty other Ameri-
cans who are on sub-commissions. The
statement to be presented will say:
Il am instructed by my government
TO announce the retirement of its un-
official representatives from the rep
arations commission. This decision has
been reached only after long hesitation
and careful consideration. All repre-
sentation upon the commission was in
the beginning unofficial, in anticipation
OF ratification of the Treaty of Ver-
! sallles by the signatory powers.
The other powers have ratified and
their representation has long become
official. The United States has not rat
flied, and, as time has passed, it's un-
! official representation on the commits
sion gradually has become anomalous.
My government, under the fore
going conditions, has felt itself unable
to cooperate with the Allied powers at
Brussels and elsewhere in the prepar--
tion of plans which seem to involve a
change in the treaty. 1t realizes fully
the great difficulty of these problems
and recognizes the value of unified ac-
tlon, but as it cannot at present take
part in such a discussion, or en- ex-
! press any views upon the subject dis
, cussed, it feels that it is undesirable to
| retain even unofficial representation on
e commission that is likely to be
charged with the execution of such
plans.
"My government instructs me fur
ther to express its sincere appreciation
for the many courtesies which the COM
mission and its members have shown
the United States and its unofficial
! representatives"
Major Boyden to-day told The Asso-
| ciated Press that naturally he could
not comment on his governments in
structions for withdrawal, but that he
could testify to the fullest extent to
his great respect for the character, de-
votion and ability of the men who had
served on the commission.
1--WE shall always be thankful that
it has been our privilege to take even
an unofficial and modest part in the
commissions work." said Major Boy
den.
The decision Of the Washington gov
ernment to withdraw from the commits
sion was taken about two months ago,
but was held up pending exchanges of
views between the State Department
and Major Boyden.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1s.-Discon-
tinuance by the United States of it's
| unofficial participation in proceedings
of the reparations commission was an
nounced tonight by the State Depart
ment.
Adding that instructions had been
sent Roland W. Boyden, American I'M
official representative, to notify the
commission of this country's decision
to withdraw its representation, the de-
! partment gave statement of the rea-
sons for such action, which embodied
practically the same language as the
statement Mr.. Boyden has been direct
ed to present to the commission to-
morrow. Mr.. Boyden's statement was
made public tonight in Paris.