875.6363/82: Telegram

The Minister in Albania ( Grant-Smith ) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

38. The Prime Minister, speaking on May 1 before the Parliamentary committee which is considering the British oil concession, [Page 385] stated that the United States was negligible as it could bring no political assistance to Albania, but that to placate the European great powers it was hoped to provide British, French, and Italian participation.

We are making every effort to counteract this influence, but should the principal opposing power carry the day, an outcome involving the disregard by the Albanian Government of its pledges to us, I respectfully suggest that consideration be given to instruction for my future conduct here.

Grant-Smith