decision until all these circumstances have been carefully considered. I am [etc.] CHARLES E. HUGHES 862t.01/375 President Harding to the Secretary of State WASHINGTON, March 23, 1922. MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I have yours of even date and since noting its contents I have also had an interview with the Secretary of War. He has already advised General Allen, Commanding the American Forces at Coblenz, to make no official announcement of his orders though he will continue to make his arrangements for withdrawal as suggested in the official order. It will be possible at any time up to June 1st to make arrangements to leave a small detachment of American troops, if it is decided that it is desirable so to do. There will be, of course, every cooperation with your Department in carrying out such policy as the circumstances seem to suggest to further the best interests of our relationship abroad. Very truly yours, WARREN G. HARDING 862t.01/374: Telegram The Unofficial Observer on the Rhineland High Commission (Allen) to the Secretary of State COBLENZ, March 24, 1922-7 p.m. My associates on the Commission formally state they consider the departure of the flag from the Rhineland a distinct loss to the interests of peace and stabilization not measured alone by the general good being done by our presence but also by the unfortunate status our departure will create. They are unanimous in asking that the flag remain regardless of the size of its guard and say their Governments will make representation at Washington accordingly. They earnestly hope that our representation on High Commission [will] continue officially or unofficially, with or without troops. At his request two weeks ago the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rathenau, sent his personal representative with Prince Hatzfeldt 3 to consult with me bringing a draft of cable to Secretary of State urging retention of troops and official representation on the Commission. It states: 29 German representative on the Rhineland High Commission. "Proposed withdrawal is causing great anxiety to population of Rhineland and the frontier [German Government]. The American authorities of occupation have distinguished themselves by impartial [use] of the privileges allotted them by the occupation. This is of great value because Coblenz is the most important center of German and Prussian provincial authority and its occupation has special political importance for the whole Rhineland. This consideration causes German Government to request American Government not to withdraw completely from the occupation of Rhineland in favor of occupation by any other power. It is desirable that the impartial and moderating influence of the American power of occupation should be asserted soon by official representation on the High Commission." I deem it my duty to submit my opinion relative to our evacuation. There is no doubt that the complete withdrawal of the moderating and stabilizing influence of the American representation in the Rhineland would be deeply deplored by all the interested powers and it is my conviction that it would be as harmful to European peace as to our trade interests. The present American area probably will be taken over complete by the French. With an official representation on Rhineland [Commission] and a few hundred American troops supporting German police in Coblenz, thus leaving this capital of the Rhineland and the seat of High Commission directly under American control, it is believed that the interests of peace would be served and an unfortunate situation, especially in Coblenz, resulting from our departure would be avoided. Though I have not consulted my associates concerning details of this cablegram and of this suggestion, it is believed they would strongly endorse them. France seems specially anxious that American representation remain and there is no doubt about the sentiment of the other interested powers. Copy to Secretary of War requested paraphrased. ALLEN 862t.01/377: Telegram The Chargé in Germany (Dresel) to the Secretary of State BERLIN, March 29, 1922-3 p.m. 63. German Government requests me to telegraph Department note verbale of which following is slightly abbreviated translation: The Germans and Rhineland population have cordially welcomed reduction in number of American troops of occupation. They hope that by this means it can be demonstrated in their area that the objects of occupation can be attained with much smaller numbers than are at present quartered in each area. Results for the population would be exceedingly favorable. Families now greatly crowded could be put in possession of their former quarters. Above all reduction would redound to advantage of Entente as costs would diminish and power of reparation would increase. However latest reports from America of intention not only to reduce number of troops but withdraw them altogether cause great apprehension to Rhineland population and German Government. Germany lays great weight on the participation of the United States as long as occupation lasts and especially that American troops are kept in the area about Coblenz. Among occupying nationals American occupation officials have distinguished themselves by impartiality in the exercise of the duties imposed by occupation. Their regulations and their conduct shows political detachment. They pursue no political aims but limit themselves strictly to the objects prescribed. This has been of the most value as Coblenz is the seat of the most important German and Prussian administrations for the whole Rhineland and it seems therefore especially significant from a political point of view. Under these circumstances replacement of American troops in Coblenz and vicinity by troops of other occupying nations would nullify all the advantages which might be expected from diminution of these troops. Beyond this, political effect of the change in occupation would be to the detriment of Germany. The German Government therefore transmits urgent request to the American Government not to withdraw and thereby to avoid a change. It would be very desirable that the impartial and harmonizing influence of American occupation should also be made effective in the Interallied Commission by official acceptance by America of the Rhineland Agreement. This would also have the advantage that in that case the actual situation could be brought into closer conformity with the situation as it should be, that is, participation by America in the occupation would be no longer based on the armistice but would rest on the claim of appropriate rights contained in the Treaty of Versailles of which advantage can be taken under the German-American treaty. I told Von Haniel 40 who presented the note to me that the reported attitude of Congress if true would probably render the retention of the troops difficult but that I had no official information of any decision on the subject. 862t.01/380 President Harding to the Secretary of State DRESEL WASHINGTON, April 1, 1922. 41 MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I have yours of March 27th, enclosing to me a paraphrase of the message received from General Allen.42 40 German Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Not printed. See General Allen's telegram of Mar. 24, p. 213. His statement concerning the manifest wish of the Germans for continued American occupation is quite in harmony with information which has come to me from an unofficial source. Later developments concerning the attitude of the Allies in recognizing the American claim for compensation for the Army of Occupation will make it quite possible to continue a small contingent there if that is our final judgment. I am asking the Secretary of War to so handle the situation that our forces will not be completely withdrawn until such a program is finally determined upon. Very truly yours, WARREN G. HARDING 862t.01/390: Telegram The Ambassador in Germany (Houghton) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] BERLIN, April 25, 1922—3 p.m. 82. Dresel's 63 of March 23 [29]. On my way to Berlin I met the English, French and Belgian High Commissioners at Coblenz. Had long individual talks with each. All of them expressed the hope for retention in the Rhineland of General Allen and a proper guard of American troops. Their reasons apparently based on tacit assumption (1) that France is determined ultimately to control left bank of Rhine, (2) that our departure will leave the French in physical possession of practically all of this region and (3) that this action inevitably will have a tendency to produce intense and constantly growing friction between the Germans and the French which in two or three years may easily lead to any eventuality. The French are greatly disturbed. They believe that the presence at Coblenz of American troops minimizes any immediate danger while obviously leaving unaffected their ultimate plans. Even if we should leave only General Allen and 50 soldiers, they are eager for us to remain. The British fear that our withdrawal may necessitate their withdrawal possibly within six months because without continuation of our participation obviously Rhineland Commission will be in control of the French whose program the British may find it impossible either to approve or be responsible for. Therefore, the danger of increasing friction between Germans and French may be expected and also indefinite postponement of the restoration of normal economic conditions in Germany. Belgians are perturbed principally because our departure would remove only power which can exert steadying influence on both Rhineland Commission and public opinion in the Allied countries. The Government here is most anxious that we should remain. This is clearly indicated in Embassy's telegram, no. 63 43 conveying to Department the German views of the subject. Under the circumstances I venture to direct Department's attention to fact that Coblenz being capital city of Rhineland and seat of Commission, is key to situation. If, therefore, General Allen is retained there he should be given a number of troops sufficient to keep the city completely within his control. HOUGHTON 862t.01/392 President Harding to the Secretary of State WASHINGTON, April 26, 1922. MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I have yours of April 26th," enclosing the paraphrase of the confidential message of Ambassador Houghton," relating to the retention of an American military force on the Rhine. My own impression is that we ought to make suitable compliance with the manifest general wish for the retention of a military force there. I suggest that you take up with the Secretary of War the question of what sized force to continue there. My own judgment is that we might reasonably reduce our numbers to approximately one thousand men. Perhaps it would be well to have the Secretary of War get an expression from General Allen on this question. I am sending a note to the Secretary advising him that we shall want to retain a force of at least one thousand there so that the withdrawals will not be completed in advance of our definite decision. Very truly yours, WARREN G. HARDING 862t.01/408: Telegram The Ambassador in Germany (Houghton) to the Secretary of State BERLIN, May 22, 1922-9 a.m. 103. Embassy's 63, March 29, 3 p.m. In course of informal conversation with Von Haniel Saturday morning, he asked me whether any word from Washington had been received. He repeated that |