811.61311 Germany/11: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Germany (Sackett)
148. The German proposition has been sent to the Farm Board without comment. Our desire is to avoid further discussion of the matter through diplomatic channels. Furthermore, the Department [Page 305] does not intend to offer any advice to the Farm Board. I may say, for your strictly confidential information, that the original suggestions were based on a minimum price. It is apparently impossible for the Board to dispose of the stocks which it is holding on any other basis. Outside of the Farm Board stocks there are, however, many factors to be considered. Consequently, should the German Government really desire to push the matter, it would seem absolutely necessary that the German authorities appoint an agent to confer directly with the Board on all possibilities. I feel it necessary to repeat that we must get the matter out of diplomatic channels, and into the commercial channels where it should be handled. Dr. Kiep23 would probably be a man with the proper ability to carry on these discussions. You may not want to suggest any particular man. You should make it clear to the German Government that their only procedure involves the appointment of a German agent to conduct the negotiations.
- Otto Carl Kiep, German Consul General at New York.↩