767.68119/67: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Flerrick) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 3—1:15 a.m.]
443. Referring to Department’s 344, October 27, 7 p.m., and 345, October 27, 8 p.m. Reply to aide-mémoire of October 30 just received from Foreign Office. French Government states therein that it will take every precaution, during conference on Near East, for [Page 892] protection of American interests inasmuch as the interests of the Allied Powers, and of France in particular, are similar. But it goes on to say that it is plain that circumstances will not render the undertaking easy, since there is every evidence to show that Angora will decline to grant privileges formerly enjoyed by foreign officers. In the opinion of the French Government, however, if concessions are to be secured the practical assistance of the American Government will not be without some efficacy. The French Government also declares in conclusion that it has not had at any time a wish to conclude or uphold secret pacts which the American Government might regard as detrimental to its interests.
When receiving the aide-mémoire Poincaré said of the capitulations that to maintain them would not be easy and would be perhaps impossible. Of equality of opportunity in commerce, he intimated that objections might be raised by the Italians. Referring to the tripartite agreement of 1920, he stated definitely his belief that it could not be maintained. He expressed himself, in closing, as much gratified that at the conference there would be a representative of the United States Government. He seemed to refrain intentionally and with his habitual reserve from unnecessary discussion or comment.
During the interview almost the only matters which drew remarks from M. Poincaré were the capitulations and the tripartite agreement, neither of which was included in my press summary mentioned in 442, November 2.13
- Not printed.↩