File No. 763.72114A/271
The Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 27, 2.45 p.m.]
24. [From Garrett]:
The American delegation in order to expedite the work of the conference and without binding upon future action believes it advisable to make in one of the plenary meetings of the Prisoners of War Conference the following declaration:
The German delegation takes note of the statement by the American delegation that while the Government of the United States makes no commitment binding upon its future conduct, it is not its present [Page 101] practice or intention to transport to the United States any of the prisoners captured by its land forces who would be subject under the terms of this agreement to compulsory labor.
We very urgently ask whether you have any objection to such a declaration being made. Garrett.