Paris Peace Conf. 184.1 Berle, Adolf A.
Lieutenant A. A. Berle, Jr., to the Secretary General of the Commission to Negotiate Peace (Grew)
From: A. A. Berle, Jr.
To: Mr. Grew (for the Commissioners).
After reading the summary of the terms of the proposed German treaty, and examining its text, I feel bound in honor to place on record my protest against American acquiescence in it.
The American war was declared, supported, and fought to a victorious conclusion on and for certain fundamental principles, stated by the President, to the attainment of which the United States pledged itself. The treaty as prepared seems in large measure to have abandoned both letter and spirit of these pledges. The abandonment seems to include not merely the compromises necessary to achieve a humanly workable scheme, but in many cases, a surrender of the principles involved. In certain striking instances (notably the Japanese clauses), the treaty threatens also to create a situation thoroughly dangerous to the interests of the United States.
Bearing in mind the difficulty of securing persons acquainted in detail with the subject matter of my present duties, and having no desire to hinder the work here in any way, I leave to the Commissioners the question of my continued connection with the Commission. My single desire is to serve faithfully the United States, and to assist in realizing, so far as possible, the ideals expressed by the President prior to the proposal of the treaty. But, (if by no other considerations), the honorable fulfilment of my oath as a United States officer would constrain me to a statement that conclusion of the proposed treaty will not, in my judgment, serve either the idealistic or material interests of America, or, indeed, of humanity.