711.62119/46: Telegram
The Commissioner at Berlin ( Dresel ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10 p.m.]
682. My 680, August 22, 3 p.m. Following statement is the only statement which German Government proposes to make (translation):
“The German–American treaty printed above is the result of negotiations which commenced at the beginning of July upon the initiative of the American Government in order to bring to a close the state of war still formally existing between Germany and the United States of America. The negotiations were dependent from the start on the fact that the American Government was bound by the well-known peace resolution passed [by] Congress on July 2nd, repeated partially in the preamble of the treaty, which reserves to America in the first place all rights arising from Treaty of Versailles. [Page 22] As may be observed from the text of German–American treaty, however, several important parts of the Versailles Treaty have been eliminated from it especially part I, League of Nations; parts II and III, territorial changes in Europe; sections II to VIII of part IV, provisions regarding China, Siam, Liberia, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey and Bulgaria and Shantung; part VII, penalties; and part XIII, international regulation of labor. Furthermore, after detailed exchange [of] views it has been agreed that America will claim no rights which go beyond the provisions of the Versailles Treaty. In addition the treaty expressly stipulates that America will make use of the rights granted her only in such manner as to assure the protection of the rights connected therewith granted to Germany by the Treaty of Versailles; the omission of part XIII of the Versailles Treaty with regard to the international regulation of labor occurred after sending13 proposal of the German Government. The latter’s attempt to induce the American Government to accept this part did not succeed, perhaps on account of the close connection between its provisions and the League of Nations, which was rejected by America. After the entry into force of the German–American treaty diplomatic and consular relations between the two countries are to be resumed as soon as possible upon the wish of both parties. Negotiations are also to be commenced regarding regulation of future trade relations, the fostering of which the American Government also has characterized as desirable as well as regarding all questions affecting the relations of the two countries especially those connected with the treaty.
With respect to German property it is provided in section 5 of the peace resolution that this property shall be retained as a pledge until Germany has given satisfactory security in connection with her obligations. The American Government has, however, declared that the conclusion of the treaty would open the way to a settlement of all questions relating to sequestration [of] German property in the most just and righteous manner.”
German Government requests that if Department intends to make any statement on publishing text, it will, if convenient, refrain from questions of interpretation of matters which are not mentioned in this communiqué. It is explained that this request is made in the hope of avoiding parliamentary difficulties.