File No 893.811/269
The Secretary of State to the American International Corporation
Washington September 14, 1917 .
Sir: Your letter of September 10, 1917, together with the enclosures in the form of cables which you desire transmitted was duly received; and the cables have been sent.
The expression of your wish to speak frankly with the Department has been noted with extreme pleasure. It is only through frank consultation and advice that the Department can feel assured that the aims and objects of American capital in foreign fields are entirely within the purview of the policy of the Government. The expansion of American commercial and industrial relations and the investment abroad of American capital are deemed very desirable and the Department is anxious to be of assistance to American citizens in the prosecution of their contracts, and in the protection of their interests, provided that their undertakings have no political object and involve no entanglement in the affairs of the country where investment is made. When the Department is assured, and an examination of the contracts and securities discloses that there is no such political entanglement or objective, then the Department is disposed and anxious to expedite all bona fide American undertakings and to protect the legitimate investments of American interests abroad. Of course, as a condition precedent, there must be no objection to the investment on the part of the Government in the jurisdiction of which it is proposed that it be made.
The very frank disclosures of the details of your present undertaking are appreciated. While the Department does not feel inclined to ask for such disclosures as you have made, yet it is always glad to receive them.
I am [etc.]