123 Dodd, William E./215: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Germany (Dodd)
117. The President has requested me to inform you that he desires to appoint Hugh Gibson, at present Ambassador to Belgium, to succeed you as Ambassador to Germany.88 Mr. Gibson’s biography may be found in the last edition of the Register of the Department of State. Please advise the Foreign Office immediately of the President’s desire and ascertain whether Mr. Gibson’s appointment as Ambassador to Germany will be agreeable to the German Government, and telegraph the Department accordingly.
The President desires me further to say that he appreciates deeply the services which you have rendered this Government during the time you have been Ambassador in Berlin.
Because of the complications with which you are familiar, and which threaten to increase, much as the President regrets any personal inconvenience which may be occasioned to you, he desires me to request that you arrange to leave Berlin, if possible, by December 15th and, in any event, not later than Christmas.89
I should like personally to add the expression of my own regret because of the situation which has arisen and which must be solved in this manner and my own personal appreciation of the services you have rendered the Government.