711.62119/53a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Harvey)16
505. Treaty with Germany was signed yesterday and text was published this morning in Berlin and Washington. Department assumes that it has also been published in your capital. This Treaty, while a definite engagement with Germany, does not place the United States in a position superior to that of the Allied Powers, [Page 25] but adopts, so far as this Government was willing to adopt, the provisions of the Versailles Treaty. It is expected that the Treaty will be ratified promptly. The Senate is in recess until September 21st, and the Reichstag meets a little later. As soon as possible ascertain by informal inquiry the point of view of the Government to which you are accredited. This Government can conceive of no ground of objection to the Treaty, and it will be easily understood that after a controversy of two years this method was the best practicable solution of all the difficulties. It is not thought necessary that there should be any treaty negotiated between the United States and the Allies with respect to the rights acquired under the Treaty with Germany inasmuch as the German Treaty gives to the United States the footing of the various provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. It is, however, desirable to have an understanding with the Allied Powers. This can be effected by an exchange of brief notes to the effect that it is recognized that the United States, in common with the Allied and Associated Powers, enjoys all the rights to which the Treaty refers, and that the Government to which you are accredited intends to raise no question upon this point.
It is hoped that in view of the long discussion that has been had, no action will be taken by any of the Allied Powers which could possibly have the effect of postponing the establishment of stable peace conditions.
You will appreciate how important it is to have it understood at once that the Allies do not disapprove what has been done; on the contrary, it is desirable that an approval be expressed as soon as possible. A public expression of approval, even of an informal character, would be of advantage at this time while public opinion is being formed. The Government to which you are accredited will understand that it would have been idle to expect the United States to enter the League of Nations under the present circumstances or to assume responsibility with respect to questions that are distinctively European. It is hardly to be supposed that any Allied Power would take an antagonistic position, inasmuch as in other respects the United States has the same rights under the treaty that the other powers enjoy, for such a position, futile in itself, could not fail to produce an unfavorable impression upon American opinion. The almost unanimous opinion here seems to be that the wisest course has been taken. The text of the treaty will be cabled you if necessary.17
Repeat entire message as No. 404 to Paris, as No. 38 to Belgium, and as No. 144 to Rome.