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TWO TYPED LETTERS SIGNED by ROLAND WILLIAN BOYDEN as U.S. representative on the Reparation Commission regarding concessions accorded Germany.

1923 · réf. 34755 — Paris June 4th and June 5th 1923. 1923. Fair. - Two letters by the U.S.'s unofficial representative to the Reparation Commission responding to James R. Barbour the representative of the Farmers Loan and Trust Company. The first letter contains over 400 words typed on 2 pages of 10-5/8 inch high by 8-1/4 inch wide buff paper the first page of which is typed on "United States Unofficial Delegation Reparation Commission" stationery with the United States pictorial eagle logo embossed in blind at top left. In his letter Roland William Boyden writes that "I think there is no such record as you have in mind in your letter." He goes on to enumerate certain concessions made to Germany: "One illustration might be the advance which the Allies made to Germany in connection with the Spa coal agreement something in excess of 300000000 gold marks. This amount was advanced in cash and of course has now been charged up against Germany's payments. . I think also off-hand of delays accorded Germany in connection with disarmament dissolution of military forces etc. " He mentions that "It is not uncommon to speak of the determination of the German reparation obligation at 132 milliards of gold marks as a concession." He concludes by writing that: "As you will see I am not attempting to give a list but merely to guess at some of the things which Mr. Loucher had in his mind." Signed "RW Boyden". A discreet pencil annotation on the second page was likely written by the recipient. Folded for mailing with tears along the right edges of the folds and rust stains and tears from a paper clip once affixed to the top of both pages. The edges of the first page are darkened with creases and chips to the top and right edges of that page. Having read something the following morning Roland William Boyden has typed a second letter dated June 5th 1923. In this 100 word letter typed on 10-5/8 inch high by 8-1/4 inch wide buff paper "United States Unofficial Delegation Reparation Commission" stationery Boyden is reminded of a "speech made by Mr. Dubois former President of the Reparation Commission. it involved some resume of the German obligation and the changes in it. While it was devoted mainly to Germany's failure to meet her obligations my guess is that you would find in it more or less helpful history." Signed "RW Boyden". Folded for mailing with tears along the right edge of the folds and a paper clip stain at top left. There is some creasing with a couple of small chips along the right edge and a tear to the top edge. The American lawyer and statesman Roland William Boyden 1863-1931 led the legal enforcement division of the United States Food Administration and after the war was in charge of the American Relief Administration. In 1920 Boyden was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to unofficially represent the United States at the meetings of the Reparation Commission a position to which he was re-appointed by President Warren Harding. Controversy arose when in January of 1923 he suggested that the Treaty of Versailles pretty much assured that Germany would default in reparation payments and suggested that the agreement be redrawn. The Senate demanded his recall and though he was not officially recalled Boyden resigned. Boyden's observations were prophetic. In keeping with the argument advanced by John Maynard Keynes in his book "The Economic Consequences of the Peace" the burden of reparations would prove a humiliating burden on Germany and lead to the events which foreshadowed the Second World War. Paris, June 4th and June 5th, 1923. unknown