Chapter XXXIX: Part 47: Copy as concept/Ss

German Armistice Delegation for Economics
Paris, 31 July 1944

1. Note for the President of the French Delegation to the German Armistice Delegation for Economics, Governor de Boisanger.

Mr. President!

Following a special order of the Reich Cabinet, I have the honor to communicate the following to you:

According to Article 18 of the Armistice treaty the French Government has to defray the expenses for the support of the German occupation troops on French soil.

The daily occupation expenditures for the Wehrmacht in France are at present more than 35 million RM. Since 11 November 1942 the French Government has paid daily installments of 25 million RM to the occupation costs. Due to the deficit thus resulting every month the last reserves from the occupation cost account have been used up in the meantime as you repeatedly had occasion to notice for yourself. By my exchange of notes with Minister Cathala on the future monthly advance payments of occupation costs of 19 and 23 June 1944 the necessarily resulting insolvencies could be overcome, however, the existing deficit could not be removed. I therefore request the French Government now to increase the installments of occupation costs effective on 1 August of this year to 35 million RM daily.

In accordance with the said exchange of notes of 19 and 23 June 1944--No. 2076--the installments are to be paid monthly in advance on the 21st of the preceding month. The additional amount of 200 million RM for the period of 1 to 20 August has therefore become due and is to be paid before 15 August 1944.

I request you, Mr. Governor, to acknowledge receipt of this note and to inform me of the orders given by the French Government in order to carry out the above demand of the Reich Cabinet.

Please accept, Mr. President, the expression of my deepest respect.

s. Hemmen
President

* * * * * * *