125.655/97
The Chargé in Great Britain (Wheeler) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 18.]
Sir: With reference to my telegram No. 338 of August 1st, 5 p.m.,14 in re a proposed solution of the Newcastle case, I have the honor to inform you that it is now suggested that the difference be settled by a simultaneous exchange of notes between the Foreign Office and this Embassy as follows:
From the Foreign Office to the Embassy:
Sir, I have the honour to inform you that after further consideration His Majesty’s Government are prepared not to insist upon the charge of exceeding their Consular authority, laid about a year ago against the then American Consul and Vice-Consul at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and it has therefore been recalled.
I have the honour to be, with high consideration, Sir,
Your
obedient servant,
(Signed) . . . . . . .
From the Embassy to the Foreign Office:
My Lord: I am instructed to inform your Lordship that it is the intention of my Government to reopen the Consulate at Newcastle-on-Tyne, [Page 312] and I have the honor to transmit herewith the Commissions of Messrs . . . . . . . of . . . . . . . and . . . . . . . of . . . . . . . , both American citizens, as Consul and Vice-Consul, respectively, of the United States at that port, and to request Your Lordship to be good enough to take the steps necessary for their recognition in those capacities in case the appointments be found agreeable to His Majesty’s Government.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration,
Your
Lordship’s obedient servant,
(Signed) . . . . . . .
This exchange of notes to be simultaneously published on both sides. It is stated (though this would not be formally communicated) that if the matter is settled on this basis, while it is understood that our present nominees shall be other than Slater and Brooks, their record will be considered clean and that it is “most unlikely” that any objection based on this closed incident would be raised to their service in future in any other part of the British Empire. In this connection it is further stated that in case such objection should be laid, the Foreign Office would use its best efforts to bring about its withdrawal.
There has of course been no undertaking given on either side, but I am privately assured that if this arrangement be acceptable to you, the Foreign Office will accept it also.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩