550.E1 Russia/62: Telegram
The Chargé in the Netherlands (Sussdorff) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:58 p.m.]
68. Conference circles are pleased at the information contained in your telegram No. 49 of July 15, 2 p.m. In view of the final exchange of notes today it is believed that the Conference will adjourn tomorrow. At the session tomorrow of the non-Russian commission an effort will be made by the Belgian and French delegates to have the countries represented in the Conference adopt a general agreement not to countenance any arrangement with the Soviet authorities by their nationals that would encroach upon the property rights in Russia of the nationals of other countries. The attitude of the United States will be cited by the Belgian and French delegates as an important argument in favor of their position. The British [Page 823] alone, it is believed, oppose the adoption of this agreement. Aside from this movement among Conference circles, the adoption of the same policy is being considered privately by several big interests, notably the oil companies.
Considering the situation as set forth above, I think it would have a most important practical and psychological effect if the Department could see its way clear to issue a public declaration at once announcing the principle stated in its telegram of July 15, 2 p.m. Such a statement would add to our prestige and would strengthen the hands of the states and companies who are endeavoring to arrive at a fair solution of the Russian problem.44
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On July 20, 1922, the Department issued the following press release:
↩“In reply to inquiries the American Chargé d’Affaires at The Hague was instructed on July 15th to say that the Government of the United States does not countenance any arrangements by its citizens with the Soviet authorities that would jeopardize or prejudice the vested rights of the citizens of other countries in Russia and that the United States has complete confidence that the other governments concerned will adhere to the same policy.”