711.62119/-: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Commissioner at Berlin (Dresel)
284. Your telegram no. 56, January 15. We were disconcerted to learn that German officials were conducting with you discussions of the delicate nature that you report. Thinking it best to ignore the matter, we did not reply at the time, but in view of press despatches emanating from Berlin which state that German officials had been discussing the matter with you, it may become necessary for some statement to be made. The Allies might easily misconstrue such conversations as are reported, and feel that we were allowing Ourselves to become an entering wedge between them and Germany. We should like you to avail yourself of the first appropriate opportunity, or if necessary to avoid undue delay, to seek an occasion to inform the German officials that you are not aware just what attitude or policy will be taken by your Government on the questions which appear to have been touched upon in your conversations, and make clear, furthermore, that you are not authorized to enter into discussions of this nature, as they might readily give rise to inferences both misleading and incorrect.