File No. 851.4054/26
The Secretary of State to the French Ambassador ( Jusserand )
Excellency: Referring to previous correspondence relating to the marriage of members of the American military forces in France to French women, and to the repression of false declarations that might be made by American soldiers in connection therewith, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note dated November 7, 1918, in which you state that your Government desires to be informed whether the Government of the United States would be willing to exchange notes with you making now a record of the agreement of the two Governments of the principles recognized by them in this matter, with which note you transmitted a copy of the draft of a note which your Government suggests it is ready to address to this Government.
This Government believes that it is desirable to include in the arrangement contemplated not only members of the Army of the United States abroad, but members of all the forces of the United States abroad, and with this in view it has requested that the Navy-Department, as well as the War Department, consider the matter and also the definite suggestions of the French Government relating to the administration of the arrangements as set forth in the draft of the proposed note.
I shall take pleasure in further communicating to you the views of this Government upon receipt of replies to the letters which I have addressed to the Navy Department and the War Department relating to this matter.
Accept [etc.]