862.51/3725: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Germany (Dodd)
136. Your 178, October 25, noon, and 182, November 1, 11:00 a.m.96 Please make an appointment with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and inform him that this Government does not consider the information which has been made available at all adequate. American bondholders are entitled to expect most favored nation treatment in every respect, and complete protection from discrimination in favor of third parties, particularly since the German Government is apparently proceeding to convert money owed American interests into what appears to be a direct subsidy of German exports. Please ask Herr Von Neurath for detailed information in regard to the Swiss agreement and the Dutch negotiations and leave an aide-mémoire with him. Explain orally that you are not presenting a protest but making a “formal inquiry”.
For your confidential information only, I may add with reference to the last paragraph of your telegram referred to above97 that while the policy of this Government has not yet been laid down, it seems probable [Page 457] that any agreements in respect of foreign imports of wines and spirits will seek primarily to stimulate exports chiefly of farm products. However, if the German Government is disinclined to end the discrimination which is being practiced against American interests this Government will be obliged to consider such steps as may be appropriate to redress the situation.
Please telegraph the text of your aide-mémoire as well as a report of your interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.