Paris Peace Conf. 184/249: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Paraphrase]
Washington, December 6, 1919—1
p.m.
3985. From the Secretary for Polk. Your telegram No. 5554 of December 4th, midnight.
- (1)
- In case you consider it necessary that Clemenceau be given any explanation of the withdrawal of the American Peace Commissioners you might intimate discreetly that the political situation in the United States does not allow the continuation of what is looked upon as an unjustifiably prolonged dictatorship of European affairs by the Supreme Council, for whose activities the American representative thereon must assume a full share of responsibility. Public opinion in the United States at present is against further American participation in and responsibility for the settlement of political questions which are largely subjects of European concern. In addition the recent action of the Senate in regard to the treaty with Germany renders acts of the American representative on the Supreme Council open to repudiation at any time, and the Department does [Page 692] not desire to have the American representative placed in such a position.
- (2)
- Also see my telegram 3975 of December 5th, 1 p.m. Ambassador Wallace will be instructed by the Department to endeavor to keep in touch with the proceedings of coming meetings of the Supreme Council through his colleagues in an informal way in order that the Department may be kept informed of the nature of the questions being discussed. All political questions which would require an expression of opinion on the part of the United States Government, however, would have to be taken up through the ordinary diplomatic channels. Ambassador Wallace in case of absolute necessity could be designated as representative of the United States in the negotiation of treaties with Roumania and Hungary. Such a step should not, however, be construed as an admission by the United States that this Government continues to be represented on the Supreme Council.
- (3)
- The United States Government cannot be a signatory to the protocol. Wallace, therefore, should not attend either the ratification of the treaty or the signing of the protocol.
- [(4)]
- The following is for your confidential information. While I am entirely aware of the situation which is produced by the apparent unwillingness of the Germans to sign the protocol, I am confident that, if certain modifications could be made in some of the sections of the protocol, an agreement might be reached satisfactory to all concerned. As you were informed recently by the Department’s telegram No. 3663 of November 4, 3 p.m., United States Government does not regard as good policy, in the circumstances, the demand for civilian material such as docks, cranes etc., as reparation for the destruction of enemy warships. Also the Department does not consider that sanctions as extensive as those provided for in the last paragraph of the protocol are essential since the sanctions already provided for in the treaty of Versailles (such as commissions of control, armies of occupation, etc.) are sufficient to cover all demands. This is only another of the numerous instances by which resentment has been aroused in Germany by the imposition of an unnecessary condition which through its general terms could be used as an excuse for any subsequent action against Germany.
- (5)
- In case of further refusal on the part of Germany to sign the protocol you should not commit the United States Government to any coercive measures either of military or economic character. Refer all proposals to the Department.
Lansing