711.62119/39: Telegram
The Commissioner at Berlin ( Dresel ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:50 p.m.]
674. The following is translation of a note handed me this morning by Doctor Rosen.
1. The German Government has [with] great satisfaction taken cognizance of the fact that Mr. Dresel held out a prospect of negotiations which will be initiated in connection with the coming into force of the treaty in regard to the construction of the different treaty provisions. The German Government suggests confirming by a protocol or an exchange of notes the understanding in regard to the initiation of such negotiations. It would be extremely desirable if mention could be made of the fact that such negotiations will cover also the furtherance of reciprocal economic relations.
2. The German Government, as the Government of the United States will understand, must emphatically regard it as [of] the greatest importance to give the Reichstag as clear as possible information in regard to the obligations which Germany is undertaking by acceptance of the present treaty. The German Government is of the opinion that it is not the intention of this treaty to impose upon Germany obligations which extend beyond the frame of the Treaty [Page 18] of Versailles. The German Government would be grateful for confirmation of this construction.
In such case it would also be advisable to word article I of the treaty as follows:
“Germany undertakes to accord to the United States, and the United States shall have and enjoy, all rights and advantages stipulated for the benefit of the United States in the Treaty of Versailles as specified in the aforesaid joint resolution of the Congress of the United States of July 2, 1921, which the United States shall fully enjoy notwithstanding the fact that such treaty has not been ratified by the United States.”
3. The German Government has taken note of Mr. Dresel’s declaration of August 10th, to the effect that the American Government does not intend to apply the provisions of paragraph 5 of article II to the time limits which are laid down in part 14 of the Treaty of Versailles. The German Government believes that it is justified in assuming that the same construction applies for the period of the time limit provided by article 280 of the Treaty of Versailles, and would be grateful for confirmation of such a construction.
4. According to article 45 of the German Constitution the constitutional representation of the German State is in the hands of the President of the Empire. The preamble of the treaty would therefore have to be drafted as follows: “The President of the United States of America space” “the President of the German Empire space.”