Evening star., 1923-01-26
Letter to Senate Committee
DiscIoses New Instructions
Sent to "Observer."

i Understand thaC no Iurtner 4C-
tion has been taken with respect to
Along with the Secretary's letter
was q previous communication sent
to the committee, saying that in the
opinion of the Secretary 1t Is ''of the
greatest importance" that the Amer
lean government keep itself In q posi-
tion to be informed as to the pro-
ceedings OF the commission.
A list OF large number OF subjects
was given. in which Mr.. Boyden and
his associates have interested them
selves: and which Mr.. Hughes said he
regarded as OF great concern to the
United States.
Letter Sent to Committee.
The letter was sent to the commit
tee in response to q request for in
formation that might be of service in
considering the Robinson resolution
to authorize official participation of
the United States in the reparations
commission. On that subject Mr..
Hughes expressed no definite opinion.
although he said that the purposes
requiring the presence of an Amer
lean representative at the commits
sion's discussions have been served
which we have been able to maintain
through the present arrangements"
The only action taken by the COM
mtttee today was to make public the
data transmitted by Mr.. Hughes and
furnish each senator with copies.
Another meeting of the committee
will be held tomorrow.
Attached to Mr.. Hughes second
letter were copies OF Boyden's
memorandum" and OF various reports
the reparation commission and copies
of notes presented by French and
British representatives on that COM
mittee.
Mr.. Hughes stipulated. however.
that these should remain in the con-
relations and not be made public"
Rehearsed @MisleadinE Reports."
Mr.. Hughes letter rehearsed the
misleading reports that had been
published to the effect that an Amer
ican reparations plan had been sub
mitted to the reparation commission,
adding that the Boyden memorandum
was the only communication which
could possibly have led to such a
story.
This memorandum, however,n Mr..
Hughes said, was not in any sense a
plan for the settlement of reparations,
nor was 1t authorized by the depart
ment."
At another point the Secretary
said that 'it has not been the policy
of the administration to participate in
the fixing of amounts to be paid by
Germany upon reparations claims"
With particular respect TO repsra-
tions commission discussions OF the
last few months as to amounts and
terms of payments. Mr.. Hughes con-
tinued. "the department has eau
toned its observers not to take any
position that would involve this gov
eminent in these discussions"
subjects that had engaged the at
tention of American Observers. In
cluded were such topics as the cost
of the American Army OF eccupa-
tion, shipping questions. Austrian and
other relief matters. and the effect
exchanges
No Opinions Due.
ST may say" Mr. Hughes said.
with respect to the work Of Amer
ican observers that IL has been dis
tinctly understood that no opinions
were to be expressed on behalf OF
this government. except under spe-
cific Instructions from the Depart
ment of State
The letter gave Mr.. Boyden's sala-
ry as $4,000 a year, with an expense
allowance not to exceed $1,000 q
month. and said that Col. James A.
Logan. a.. as assistant observer. was
allowance not to exceed $4,000 a
year.
= STAR Of Twenty-One Persons.
The staff of observers consisted,
Mr.. Hughes said, OF twenty-one per-
sons entirely maintained at the ex-
pense OF the commission.
THE only expense to the govern
ment of the United States in this
whole matter" 80 Mr.. Hughes said,
"is the amount OF compensation and
expense allowances paid Mr.. Boyden
and Col. Logan. and this amount. as
stated, does not exceed $27,-
900 a year"
In the previous letter to the COM
mittee, a copy OF which was inclosed
with yesterdays communication and
made public yesterday for the first time,
tery Of the % American eS seSernm.nts rs n
with the commission, and
then said:
Information Is Important.
portance to this government that it
should be Informed in detail OF the
proceedings of the reparations COM
mission. The work of the commission
has such an intimate relation to po-
litical and economic conditions that
takes place. 1t is manifest that in
view OF the extent and character of
the commissions work, and the in
trtcacy of the many problems with
which 1t deals. this information could
not be secured through the ordinary
diplomatic channels.
"In addition to the general informa-
tion which we ought to have so that
we may be prepared to act intelli-
questions arising from time to time
in which this government and its
citizens have an immediate interest.
These purposes have been served by
the contact with the commission
through the present arrangements"