875.6363/165: Telegram

The Chargé in Albania ( Kodding ) to the Secretary of State

18. My 17, February 11, 9 [7] p.m.14 The oil concession question reached such an immediately critical stage yesterday that I presented a firm note to the Minister for Foreign Affairs reasserting the American position and mentioning the rights our citizens expect to enjoy by virtue of accordance of most-favored-nation treatment and other promises, conditions precedent to American recognition of the Albanian State. In order that these rights may not be denied I requested that action on the concession be postponed until the American companies should have had time to resume negotiations.

The Italian Chargé d’Affaires declared he informed the Minister for Foreign Affairs that his Government would consider the contemplated granting of the oil concession an act of hostility. The Servian Chargé d’Affaires states that while presenting the protest of his Government [Page 497] on this subject he gained the impression that the promise of British support for a League of Nations loan is influencing Albanian Government, which is in dire financial straits, to accept immediately Anglo-Persian proposal.

Instructions are requested to govern the Legation’s further steps inasmuch as only the strongest measures could affect situation. Copy to European Information Center.

Kodding
  1. Not printed.