File No. 124.0665/8
The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 27, 7.40 a. m.]
495. Your 310, November 25, relative to transmission diplomatic correspondence.2 Foreign Office in note states that no correspondence to or from American diplomatic or consular officers has as yet been opened by the French postal administration. Note continues:
Reserving all questions of principle, the Government of the Republic is disposed to maintain the inviolability of official correspondence of diplomatic agents and, actuated by friendly spirit, that of consular agents of United States as requested by American Embassy and under following conditions: Consuls not having in their official quality any right to claim the immunity asked, it is only to consuls de carrière that this immunity is accorded.
The Government of the United States should give in a written note formal guarantee that no letter or communication of a private nature will be transmitted in the official correspondence above mentioned.