851.51/5–2946: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
urgent
[Received May 29—1:07 p.m.]
2617. For the Secretary. I am delighted with the outcome of the negotiations with Blum in Washington announced last night.71 The total loan is sufficiently large to meet France’s immediate balance of payments problem and to provide a base for embarking on her reconstruction policy. On commercial policy we have secured France’s articulate support to our views as well as the removal of certain practices adverse to our business interests. The disposal of surplus in bulk has the virtue of drastically shortening the life of a difficult problem. The final settlement of lend-lease accounts is a statesmanlike action. In summary I regard the negotiations as a great success and I desire to extend my personal congratulations to those responsible for their conduct and conclusion. The French press has not yet had time to analyze or editorialize on the terms of the total negotiation. The initial reaction, almost without exception, however, has been most enthusiastic. Tribute is paid to the contribution of lend-lease and wide publicity given to the magnitude of the sums involved.
- For texts of agreements between the United States and France relating to mutual aid settlement signed at Washington May 28, 1946, and declaration made in Paris by the President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic and in Washington by the President of the United States on May 28, 1946, see Department of State Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS) No. 1928, or 61 Stat. (pt. 4) 4175.↩