File No. 763.72114A/88

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain ( Willard )

[Telegram]

1440. Your 1659, August 10. Request Spanish Government to inform German Government that the Government of the United States has taken note of the German Government’s suggestion that the proposed conference at Berne take place the middle of September. In reply the Government of the United States wishes to state that its commissioners will be prepared to take part in the proposed conference on the 23d of September, 1918.

The Government of the United States further notifies the German Government that the American commission will be composed as follows: Commissioners—Hon. John W. Garrett, American Minister to the Netherlands, chairman of the commission; Hon. John W. Davis, Solicitor General of the United States; Maj. Gen. F. J. Kernan, U. S. Army; and Capt. H. H. Hough, U. S. Navy. Assistant commissioners—Ellis Loring Dresel; Christian A. Herter (secretary to commission), Special Assistant in the Department of State; Charles H. Russell, jr., Secretary of Legation; Col. Ulysses S. Grant, 3d, and Col. Samuel G. Shartle, U. S. Army; Commander Raymond Stone, U. S. Navy; Charles Moorfield Storey, attorney in the Department of Justice; and Maj. James H. Perkins, Commissioner for Europe of the American National Red Cross.

The Government of the United States expects to receive in reply a similar notification in regard to the personnel of the German commission.

Acknowledge receipt of this telegram.

Lansing