File No. 701.6211/360b
The Secretary of State to the German Ambassador (Bernstorff)
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: On December 1 I informed your excellency that Captain Boy-Ed, the naval attaché of your Embassy, and Captain von Papen, the military attaché, were no longer personae gratae to my Government and requested that the Imperial Government immediately recall the two attachés.
As ten days have passed without the request of this Government being complied with and without communication from you on the subject other than your personal letter of the 5th instant which in no way affected the fact that the two attachés were unacceptable or presented a ground for delay, I feel compelled to direct your attention to the expectation of this Government that its request would be immediately granted.
I trust, my dear Mr. Ambassador, that you appreciate the situation and will urge upon your Government a prompt compliance with the request in order that this Government may not be compelled to take action without awaiting the recall of the attachés, an action which this Government does not desire to take but will be forced to take unless the Imperial Government meets the express wish of this Government without further delay. I need not impress upon your excellency the desirability of avoiding a circumstance which would increase the embarrassment of the present situation.
I am [etc.]