763.72119/8585: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Wallace)
185. Please inform Noyes in further answer to his telegram quoted in your No. 48, January 6, 6 p.m.23 that “Department does not feel that it is advisable to raise question of legality of Rhineland High Commission without participation of United States. However, as pointed out in Department’s 71, January 9, to Embassy Paris, this Government cannot admit jurisdiction of that Commission over portion of Rhenish provinces occupied by American forces. Consequently neither you nor General Allen should issue any ordinances which conflict with or exceed the terms of the armistice, which the Department regards as continuing in force as to the United States. You should, however, maintain the closest touch with the High Commission and endeavor in so far as possible to conform administrative regime within territory occupied by American forces to regime adopted by High Commission for other portions of occupied territory.
There is no objection to your sitting informally with High Commission provided you are requested to do so,24 nor of continuing your activities, as well as those of your staff, in connection with special committees to handle distribution of coal, etc.
Ordinances, orders, regulations, etc. relating to financial and economic matters, including those similar to the ones adopted by High Commission, which it is desired to put into force in territory occupied by American forces, should be issued by General Allen as Commanding General American forces in Germany but only after having first been approved by you.
In general endeavor to cooperate fully with High Commission and avoid all friction with that body, while at same time making it perfectly clear that you are still operating under the armistice as before January 10 and are in no way bound by the terms of the Rhineland Agreement or the Memorandum of June 13, 1919 defining the relations between the military authorities and the High Commission. Department has full confidence in your good judgement and tact in handling this situation.”
War Department is instructing General Allen in same sense as above.