711.62119/22: Telegram

The Commissioner at Berlin ( Dresel ) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

645. This morning I presented the draft of the treaty to Rosen. He commented at once on the omission of any language securing conditions, limitations or rights in favor of Germany. In reply I set forth the reasons why the American Government considered it inadvisable to include such language, and he then stated that he feared the Cabinet would not dare to come before the German people with a treaty text which alluded in no wise to those rights. Rosen referred again to the possibility that the German Government will of necessity have to lay the treaty before the Reichstag, or at least before its Committee on Foreign Affairs; he expressed his apprehension that if this were not done, the Government could not stand. He took the stand that the situation in the two countries was not on a par, for the Congress had fully discussed the peace resolution and has taken action, but the Reichstag had had no opportunity to be consulted.

The Cabinet will consider the treaty on Tuesday at a special meeting. I shall continue to press for its immediate acceptance, but I fear that there will be considerable delay. Rosen gave me to understand that the legal advisers of the Government must be consulted, as a thorough examination was necessary. For the meantime, he agrees that there shall be no statement published.

Dresel