Office of the Historian

611.626/107a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Wallace)

Washington, January 7, 1920—3 p.m.

34. For Rathbone.

Please transmit under signature of Frank L. Polk, following letter to Chairman of German Peace Delegation:

“In my letter of November 25, 1919,4 it was stated that the Textile Alliance, Incorporated, of New York, had been designated by the United States Government as the exclusive importing agency not only for the dyes arranged for at the meeting with the German Delegation at Versailles on October 4, 1919, but also for dyes other than those covered by such official negotiations. That statement in so far as it refers to dyes other than those covered by the negotiations of October 4 was predicated on a misinterpretation of cable advices to me from Washington. Since my return to the United States I have been informed that although importation of impounded dyes through the Textile Alliance is mandatory, the importation through the Textile Alliance of dyes other than impounded dyes is optional with the consumer and not mandatory. But the Textile Alliance has been designated as the exclusive accredited representative of the United States Government to carry to a conclusion the arrangements heretofore made with Dr. Von Weinberg by Dr. Charles H. Herty. As the result of the voluntary surrender by private importers of licenses issued to them the Textile Alliance will, in fact, import practically all of the vat dyes, the importation of which has been licensed to satisfy the requirements of consumers in the United States for the six months’ period ending April 15, 1920. As a result of election on the [Page 477] part of consumers in the United States the Textile Alliance will also in fact import practically all of the non-vat dyes for which licenses have been issued to satisfy the requirements of American consumers for the six months’ period ending May 15, 1920. I beg therefore that you will consider the foregoing in modification of the statements contained in my letter of November 25. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant.”

Lansing
  1. Not printed.↩