Encloses Sims's message, Mar. Apr. 17 To the Secretary of Quotes and discusses art. 24 of War treaty of 1799 with Prussia re- June 14 From the Secretary Quotes cablegram from Persh June 21 of War ing questioning wisdom of To the Secretary of Views regarding disposal of War prisoners of war captured by 58 Sept. 5 To the Swiss Chargé Location in France of prison Sept. 12 From the Acting ers captured by U.S. forces Quotes Pershing's message rec- Sept. 18 To the Secretary of No objection to sending enemy Sept. 24 War officer prisoners to the United From the Secretary Disposal of officer prisoners THE AMERICAN-GERMAN CONFERENCE AT BERNE: AGREEMENT OF NOVEMBER 11, 1918 Nov. 15, To the Secretary of Advisability of reaching gen- 60 61 64 64 65 1864 1126 Necessity for arranging treaty Draft of proposed arrange- To the Chargé in For Germany: draft of pro- 3461 May 25 posed reciprocal arrangement Case of Corp. Edward Rob- Proposes date for conference 68 I. PRISONERS OF WAR-Continued No. Date From and to whom Subject Request that Germany set date for conference as soon as possible. Request that Swiss Government nominate national to preside over U.S.-German conference. Swiss Government will accept offer to preside over conference if Germany agrees. Request that Switzerland ascertain whether Germany is willing for Swiss national to preside over conference. Request that Germany be urged to make early decision as to date for proposed conference. Germany suggests that conference take place the middle of September. Germany requests Swiss Government to preside over coming conference. Latter consents. Personnel of U.S. commission to Berne conference. Instructions regarding negotiations with Germany. Personnel of German commission to Berne conference. Determination to bring about equal and humane treatment of prisoners of war and interned civilians. Question of U.S. responsibility for Germans in Cuba, Panama, etc., and German responsibility for Americans in Turkey. Attitude regarding equal and humane treatment of prisoners is approved. Proposals relative to exchange and internment of prisoners on humane basis. Views requested. Summary of telegrams from Legations relative to treatment of Germans in certain Latin American countries. Feasibility of presenting to the conference the condition of Belgians and French in occupied territory, with view to amelioration. Instructions. Conditional approval given proposals relative to exchange and internment of prisoners. I. PRISONERS OF WAR-Continued No. Date From and to whom Subject Germany and Austria-Hungary notified that American Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., etc., are authorized U.S. relief societies. First meeting of conference. Adjournment for separate deliberation on bases of agreement. Essential differences of respective proposals. Report on deliberations in second meeting of conference. List of cases of injury to Americans in Turkey, of possible use as deterrent to German claims and threats. Agreement desired regarding treatment of Germans in U.S. Army, naturalized during the war, when taken prisoners by Germany, and the converse. Free hand for commission requested as to employment of exchanged and repatriated prisoners. Free hand given commission as to employment of exchanged and repatriated prisoners. German proposal of U.S. declaration against internment or deportation of Germans in China; other proposals in conference. Instructions regarding question of treatment of Germans in Cuba and Panama and of Americans in Turkey and Bulgaria. German proposal with regard to internment or deportation of Germans in China not acceptable. Further negotiations regarding release and repatriation of civilian prisoners. Commission desires to propose 98 98 Departure of German delegates to Berlin for instructions. Terms of proposed agreement with Germany for exchange of interned civilians. Germany will not accept provision recognizing as American citizens Germans captured by German forces if naturalized after Aug. 4, 1914. 99 100 |