711.62/189a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Germany (Gilbert)
248. The German Chargé d’Affaires called to see me this afternoon.
Dr. Thomsen said that he had called in pursuance of instructions from his Government. He stated that he wished to make it clear that in his previous interview with me he had not intended to imply that the German Government was complaining about criticism in the United States against Germany but because of the fact that a member of the United States Cabinet had publicly criticized the head of the German state. He also said that in his previous interview he had not intended to imply that the German Government was requesting a public expression of regret from the Government of the United States but merely that it “expected” such an expression of regret.
I said that on the latter point when I was officially informed by the German Chargé d’Affaires that the German Government “expected” an official expression of regret publicly made, I could only construe such a statement as an official request. I said that with regard to the former question, I felt that I need add nothing to what I had stated in my previous interview.
Dr. Thomsen then went on to say that during the time that he had been in Washington he had done his utmost to work for better relations between the two countries, and that he hoped public attacks in both countries would cease. To this I made no comment.
I asked Dr. Thomsen if he had any further instructions. He said that he did not and after I inquired about the health of his wife, who had been ill, the interview terminated.