File No. 125.0055/1
[Enclosure—Translation]
The German Foreign Office
to the
American Embassy
Nr.Ic16180/96680
Note Verbale
Now that the German Army has occupied various portions of enemy
countries, the German Government considers the exequaturs of the
consuls, formerly permitted to act in such districts, to have
expired.
The Imperial Government would, however, be disposed to consider
favorably any wishes of allied and neutral countries, respecting the
establishment of consular offices in the districts in question,
excepting, of course, those districts where military operations are
still in course.
In Belgium consular activities in the provinces of East and West
Flanders would accordingly not be permitted at present. With regard
to the other parts of Belgium, consular officers would be permitted
to act for the present in Brussels, Antwerp, and Liége, but not at
other points.
The Imperial Government would not consider the issuance of formal
exequatur advisable; to consular officers, whose names are
communicated to the Foreign Office, would simply be granted
temporary recognition to enable them to act in their official
capacity, under reserve of the usual investigations respecting their
records.
In view of the peculiar circumstances contingent on military
occupation, the Imperial Government would be grateful if only such
persons should be nominated as are assuredly friendly to Germany or
have at least neutral convictions.
In bringing the above to the attention of the Embassy, the Foreign
Office has the honor respectfully to request that the American
Government may be notified in the above sense. As the Embassy is
aware, the German Government has already recognized Consul General
Diederich at Antwerp, assuming this to be the wish of the American
Government.
Berlin
,
November 30, 1914.
