763.72119/2897
The French Ambassador ( Jusserand ) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary of State: My Government informs me that according to a statement made by Colonel House it occurred to the President of the United States that there might be advantage in notifying the German authorities that the Allies would not conclude peace with Germany before a constituent assembly had been made and a regular German Government had been set up.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic deemed it proper to remark, on the one hand, that intervention of this kind in German internal policy might perhaps be a delicate matter and that on the other hand we would take the risk, by bringing pressure of that kind to bear, to halt the federalist movement which is taking shape in Germany, while our interest in maintaining peace must suggest to us a hope that the centralistic tendencies which were those of Prussia may fail.
It further seems to M. Pichon that action of this character would seem premature, for there would be objection to our enemies organizing before we were afforded, by a complete carrying out of the clauses of the armistice now under way, the indispensable guarantees against any possible resumption of hostilities.
I have the honor, in compliance with my instructions, to impart to your Excellency my Government’s view of the question.
Be pleased [etc.]