File No. 763.72114A/254
The Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 20, 11.55 a.m.]
21. [From Garrett]:
The German delegates last night stated that certain of the articles as suggested by us could not be accepted by them without further [Page 99] instructions from Berlin, and they thought they could induce Berlin to agree to them only by going there and explaining our point of view in a way they could not do by telegraph. Today, therefore, we have in subcommittee explained certain points that they asked further about and they have left for Berlin promising to return by Tuesday.
For the first time since the conference began we notice a distinct change in their attitude and evidence of depression. We suppose that they are desirous of going home at once as much on account of the general situation as because of the reasons they have given us. They have casually referred in the last day or two to the added difficulty of negotiating with us while the exchange of notes between Washington and Berlin is going on.