Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 59 Part 2.djvu/972

 59 STAT.] BELGIUM-MUTUAL AID- Aril 17, 19, 1945 1655 May 19, 1945 1655 In reply I wish to inform you that the Government of the United States agrees with the understanding of the Government of Belgium as expressed in that note. It is also agreed that the exchange of notes of January 30,1943 on this subject is hereby superseded by your present 57 Stat. 920. note and this reply, both of which in accordance with the suggestion contained in your present note, will be regarded as placing on record the understanding between our two Governments in this matter. This further integration and strengthening of our common war effort gives me great satisfaction. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest considera- tion. E R STETTrNTIs, Jr Secretary of State His Excellency Baron ROBERT SILVERCRUYS, Belgian Ambassador. The Secretary of State to the Belgian Ambassador DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON April 17, 1945 MY DEAR MR. AMBASSADOR: You will recall that on January 30, 1943 Dean Acheson, Assistant Secretary of State, addressed a letter to the Belgian Ambassador with respect to the receipt by this Government as reciprocal aid of articles previously purchased abroad and imported into Belgian territory. In that letter Mr. Acheson stated that this Government does not expect the Belgian Government or the authorities in the Belgian Congo to furnish such articles to American forces as reciprocal aid and that, if such articles were furnished as reciprocal aid in emergency situa- tions, this Government would be entirely agreeable to the principle that they should be replaced from the United States as soon as possible. Mr. Acheson further stated that American forces would not request or accept as reciprocal aid any such articles, the replacement of which was regarded by the Belgian Government as desirable, without specific authorization in each case from the War Department. The exigencies of war have made strict compliance with this proce- dure impractical, and your Government has furnished such articles to this Government and its armed forces without compliance with this procedure. The quantity and value of the articles so furnished are not yet known and it is anticipated that considerable time may be required before mutual agreement can be reached as to the exact value of the articles to be replaced under the terms of Mr. Acheson's letter. At the time of Mr. Acheson's letter no non-military supplies were being provided by my Government to your Government as straight lend-lease. Now, however, our two Governments have concluded an

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