File No. 763.72114A/168
The Ambassador in France ( Sharp) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 14, 1.43 a.m.]
3. [From Garrett]:
In the discussions that have taken place between your commissioners and with the knowledge of German methods and of what has been accomplished, especially by France for the betterment of the treatment of her prisoners in Germany, it has become evident that they should be in a position to promise Germany at the Berne conference not reprisals nor recriminations but absolute equality of treatment in all that pertains to prisoners of war and civilians; that the United States is fully determined to continue to treat prisoners in her hands humanely, justly, and well, but that we are equally determined to mete out to these prisoners, military or commissioned [civilian], as the case may be, perfect reciprocity or equality of treatment, not with the idea of bringing our methods down to the German level, but of bringing German methods up to ours. We take it that we may work on this basis with assurance that public and official opinion at home will be behind our efforts. Garrett.