File No. 124.62/6
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Germany (Gerard)
2944. Your 3791 and 3815.1 After very careful consideration Department feels that it is desirable to avoid the difficulties incident to the selection of a diplomatic representative from among the American republics, and has decided, in the event of the severance of relations, to ask the Spanish Government to care for American diplomatic and consular interests. In places where Spanish consular officials are in fact German subjects, it would be necessary to have a Spanish official appointed to care for American interests.
In case of break, Winslow should proceed London to await orders.
Your interpretation of retaining present offices is correct, and Department will take over lease in event of your leaving Berlin.
Inquiry has been made of the British, Japanese, and Serbian Governments as to which diplomatic representatives in Berlin their interests should be entrusted in case of break. Books, vouchers, and accounts relating to expenditures out of funds belonging to British, [Page 250] Japanese, and Serbian Governments should be balanced and forwarded to the Department and a new set opened and turned over with lists of payments to be made and detailed description of work heretofore done to respective designated diplomatic representatives, together with the respective balances of funds in your hands.
Compensation to remaining Embassy force should be paid to May 30. Dyar should be detailed to The Hague. Who is Cordoba de———?
- Neither printed.↩