462.00R296/5592: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Germany (Sackett)
36. Department’s 32, March 25, 5 p.m.48 The German Ambassador,49 in a conversation with Mr. Castle on March 31, stated that the German Government, in spite of the message given to you, was prepared to go ahead immediately in discussions with the Treasury Department as to the agreement and to sign very promptly. At the same time the German Ambassador left a communication of which the following is the text:
“The German Government is willing to make an agreement with the Government of the United States according to the principles laid down in the proposal submitted by the Treasury of the United States with a reservation analogous to that made by the German Government with regard to the report of the International Committee of Experts, signed at London on August 11, 1931.
The German Government further declares its willingness to expedite the conclusion of the said agreement, and will send counterproposals with regard to a few details as soon as possible after a speedy examination of the draft submitted.”
The method of making this reservation has not been settled. The Treasury would not be willing to sign if the reservation were included in the agreement. The Ambassador said he understood this and did not think his Government had any such intentions.