Hatzfeldt to Sargent, June 14, 1883

Count Hatzfeldt to Mr. Sargent.

The undersigned had the honor to receive the note of the 1st ultimo, in which the envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, Mr. Aaron A. Sargent, has informed him of the proposals which the American Government intends to make in order to bring about an adjustment of the differences existing between France and Venezuela, and at the same time to further regulate for the future the modality of the distribution of the claims to be paid by Venezuela to the various states who are her creditors. The minister has asked the question if the imperial Government would eventually assent to the propositions made by the United States Government.

In answer thereto the undersigned has the honor to inform the minister that if all the other interested Governments announce their adherence to the American propositions to bring about a generally satisfactory solution, the imperial Government is quite ready on its side to join in, and to empower its representative in Washington to put himself in communication with the representatives of the participating states, to fix the amount owing from Venezuela to the individual states, which would serve as a basis for the future contribution of the fund allotted by Venezuela for this purpose. It is understood in this connection, however, that Germany shall suffer no diminution of its rights under its agreement with Venezuela of the 27th January, 1877, through the proposed arrangement of the United States.

The undersigned avails, &c.,