890h.927/3
The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 20.]
Sir: In reply to your instruction No. 573 of February 19th last, I have the honor to report that I learn at the Foreign Office that the Afghan Government has granted a monopoly to Professor Foucher for archaeological exploration in that country.
M. de Peretti informed me that the French Government was opposed to monopolies of this character and had so informed Professor Foucher who had been acting entirely on his own account. Professor Foucher’s excuse was that the concession had been drawn up in that form by the Afghan Government and that he would have had no chance to obtain any archaeological rights at all if he had asked for any alterations. The British Government has already made representations to the Foreign Office, but I was assured that there was no desire on the part of Professor Foucher to profit by his monopoly and that if any American organization desired to work in Afghanistan, it would be easy for it to reach an agreement with Professor Foucher.
No mention was made of metal discoveries; however I will continue my enquiries and will report further as soon as any supplementary information either in regard to Afghanistan, Persia or Albania is obtained.
I have [etc.]
Counselor of Embassy