862.51/1537

The German Chargé (Von Thermann) to the Acting Secretary of State

The German Chargé d’Affaires a. i. presents his compliments to the Hon. Secretary of State and has the honor to submit, by direct instruction of the German Government, the following:

Representatives of all German Labor Unions (Gewerkschaften) and Federations of Employees (Angestellten-Verbände) have informed the German Government that, in consequence of the mark catastrophe, perfectly impossible conditions have been created for the existence of the broad masses of the German people. The value of the dollar is 2,000.– marks to-day. Extensive scarcity of means of payment is already felt. The German Chargé d’Affaires a. i., therefore, has the honor to call the attention of the U. S. Government to the situation in Germany. The present German Government has done all in her power politically to fulfill her obligations. The declaration of the unions mentioned above, which have been faithful supporters of this policy, proves the absolute necessity of immediate help from outside.