711.62119/30: Telegram

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

657. In conversation with Rosen today and yesterday he reverted to the question of disposition of the alien property fund. He stated that this was one on which the whole of the German people felt very deeply and favorable action would be a guarantee of good faith which would have the most beneficial effect. Such action would remove any doubts as to the acceptance of the proposed treaty by the Reichstag whose members would otherwise be unfavorably impressed by the absence of reciprocity in the treaty. He understood that the matter would have to be decided by Congress but he made an urgent plea for a recommendation by the President that the fund should be restored. He cited the treaty of 182810 as being still applicable and said he could not believe that the United States would not see the justice of restoring private property as other powers had already done, in especial consideration of the previous policy of the United States having been opposed to any permanent confiscation. In answer I stated that I did not believe that any statement or action by the President was practicable in advance of the decision of Congress but at his urgent request I agreed to state his views to the Department.

Dresel
  1. Treaty of commerce and navigation between the United States and Prussia, May 1, 1828; for text, see Hunter Miller (ed.), Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America, vol. 3, p. 427.