711.622/29: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Houghton) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2 p.m.]
216. Your 91 [92], November 30, 5 p.m. Herr von Schubert called on me last evening and showed me full power to be sent Wiedfeldt. Translation of text is as follows:
“Doctor Otto Wiedfeldt, Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington, is hereby authorized to conduct negotiations with the Government of the United States of America, in the [Page 24] name of the German Reich, relating to a treaty of amity, commerce and consular matters and to sign the treaty, subject to ratification. Berlin, December 1, 1923. Signed, Ebert, President of the Reich. Signed, Stresemann. (Seal).”
[Paraphrase.] Schubert told me that the premature publication of the treaty greatly distressed his Government. The treaty had been handled by the Foreign Office in the same manner as has been used for fifty years and never before had its confidence been betrayed. … As the treaty would serve as a model for other similar treaties the German Government had hoped to have certain minor changes made; but, considering the unfortunate circumstances, it was now willing to sign without delaying further. The German Ambassador at Washington had already been given telegraphic instructions to this effect. [End paraphrase.]