Mr. Hay to Mr. White.
Washington, February 28, 1899.
Sir: Your interesting summary of the debate in the Reichstag upon the German-American relations, No. 738, dated February 13, 1899, is received.
There are two points developed in that debate to which I invite your attention.
The first is found in the reference by Baron von Bülow and others to the concession by the United States to Switzerland, under our treaty of 1850, of the benefits accorded to France by our late reciprocal convention of May, 1898, and our refusal to extend the same to Germany. A comparison of the “most-favored-nation” clauses in our treaties with Switzerland and with Prussia will show the radical difference between their stipulations. The plain provisions of article IX of the Prussian treaty of 1828 (reproduced from the former treaty of 1799, Article XXVI) do not exist in the Swiss treaty. Much more conclusive than this, however, is the assurance obtained by an examination of the official papers connected with the negotiation and ratification of the Swiss treaty. This examination revealed the fact that the construction of the treaty claimed by Switzerland was expressly understood at the time by both negotiators and by both ratifying powers. Under these circumstances this Government was bound in honor to yield to the contention of Switzerland, and did so in the official communication of which I inclose you a copy. You will observe in the inclosure that this Government made the concession to Switzerland expressly on the ground of the original agreement of the two parties upon the intent of the peculiar language of the Swiss articles in question.
If his excellency, Baron von Bülow, is not already aware of this exceptional and only reason for the concession to Switzerland, you are at liberty to so advise him; and, if desired, to read to him that part of the inclosed copy of my note to the Swiss envoy1 which sets forth the reason for our yielding to the claim made by his Government.
[Page 299]So far as the statements made in debate would mislead public opinion to believe in our unequal treatment of Germany, it is to be regretted that the real facts have not a circulation as wide as that given to the debate. Nothing has been conceded to Switzerland which under like conditions would not have been given to Germany. You will know the best methods for the correction of official and public opinion on this point.
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I am, etc.,