875.6363/207a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Albania (Kodding)
20. The Department has received information from Mr. Cole, vice president of the Standard Oil Company of New York, to the effect that the granting to his company of third choice has been conditioned upon the payment of a contribution of between twenty and forty thousand dollars. Mr. Cole declares that he has told Sheffield that the company would not consider making any such contribution. He also states that Sheffield is instructed to proceed actively with his negotiations, but not to agree to any such suggestion.
At your discretion you may bring to the attention of the Albanian Government orally that the above report has reached the Department and that it fails to understand the suggestion that the fulfillment of promises given previously by the Albanian Government should be made conditional upon action which the American Government could only regard as improper on the part of an American company.