File No. 763.72/1517
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 28, 8.15 p. m.]
1710. Respectfully suggest that you modify your proposition in the identical notes1 by providing that the distribution of food to the civil population of Germany be superintended, not by American Government’s agents, which must be considered to involve some surrender of sovereignty by Germany, but by an American or neutral committee to be appointed by me personally and not as Ambassador, and that you then say that if Germany accepts the proposition contained [in] the identical note that the United States will put an embargo on the export of arms unless England and her allies agree to accept the same proposition.