File No. 611.627/418a.
The Acting Secretary of State to the German Ambassador.
Washington, April 27, 1911.
Excellency: The American representatives of the potash-importing interests having informed the department that they are prepared to sail for Europe on the 2d or 3d proximo to attend the conference agreed upon for the settlement of the potash controversy, I have the honor to propose on their behalf that the conference open [Page 238] at Brussels on May 15. Since one of the chief inducements for entering into the arrangement is to determine the official disposition of the moneys heretofore paid by Americans under protest, as excess production taxes, it would seem to be very desirable that the American understanding, that pending the conclusion of the conference these payments will not be collected into the imperial treasury but will be held for distribution in accordance with the conclusions that shall be reached by the conference, should be confirmed by your Government before the sailing of the American representatives; and in view of the near approach of that event I venture to express the hope that I may rely on your excellency’s customary obliging kindness to obtain this confirmation promptly by cable.
Thanking your excellency in advance, etc.,