[Enclosure]
The Commissioner at Danzig (Dawson) to the Minister in Poland (Gibson)
Sir: Under date of December 13, 1919, the
Legation informed me confidentially of a resolution of December 3,
1919, of the Council of
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the
Heads of Delegations in Paris to the effect that during the period
between the coming into force of the Treaty of Peace and the
constitution of the Free City of Danzig the exequaturs of foreign
consuls should be delivered by the representative of the Principal
Allied and Associated Powers.
It seems to me advisable that I or such other consular officer as may
be here when the Treaty of Peace goes into effect secure recognition
as promptly as possible.
I may state in this connection that no commission has been issued to
me by the Department to act as either consul or commissioner at
Danzig. My only written authority is to be found in an instruction
of October 6, 1919, informing me that I was designated American
Commissioner at Danzig and instructing me to proceed to this city
and assume my duties. I was verbally informed by the Department that
my status was that of an unofficial representative of the United
States for trade purposes but that I might, if deemed advisable and
in the absence of objections from the local authorities, perform
consular functions under my general commission as Consul of Class
Five, which I have in my possession. I have not considered it
advisable or for that matter practicable to act as consul as long as
Danzig remains in the hands of the German authorities. The situation
will, however, change when the Treaty of Peace goes into effect and
the Temporary Administrator arrives.
I do not know whether or not any special procedure has been arranged
for the granting of exequaturs by the Temporary Administrator.
Inasmuch as we shall presumably have no diplomatic representative at
Danzig, it seems to me that application for the granting of the
exequatur could be made by me, provided I had from the Department of
State a written or cable instruction directing me to secure
recognition and act as American Consul at Danzig.
In case you agree with me as to the advisability of taking steps to
facilitate my early recognition by the Temporary Administrator, I
should be very grateful if you would take the matter up by telegraph
with the Department.
Under the circumstances it does not appear practicable to cable the
Department from Danzig. A telegraphic instruction from the
Department directing me to secure recognition from the Temporary
Administrator and act as consul could, however, perhaps be sent in
plain language to me at Danzig. Such an instruction might also
include the designation and recognition as vice consul of Mr. Albert
Halstead, jr., who is with me at Danzig.
I have [etc.]
