Paris Peace Conf. 763.72/9: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

119. Following memorandum dated December 23rd, 1918, received from British Embassy, Washington:

“His Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires presents his compliments to the Acting Secretary of State and has the honor to inform him that His Majesty’s Government have received through the Swiss Legation a German proposal that a neutral commission should be appointed to inquire into the responsibilities for the war. A similar communication was made to the French Government. His Majesty’s Government and the French Government are informing the Swiss Ministers in London and Paris respectively that they do not consider that the German proposal requires any reply as the responsibility of Germany for the war has been long ago incontestably proved. His Majesty’s Government would be grateful if they might be informed whether the United States Government today received a similar communication and what answer they propose to return.”

German proposal regarding neutral commission transmitted to Mission in Department’s 172 of December 11, 1918.5 Department is inclined to make reply along lines adopted by British and French Governments. Do you agree?

Polk
  1. See footnote 2, p. 71.