611.60 p 31/20: Telegram
The Chargé in Latvia (White) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 12—1:18 p.m.]
73. Your telegram 39, August 4, 3 p.m. Legation’s 68, August 6, 4 p.m. Having orally informed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Department’s wishes for revised draft of most-favored-nation modus vivendi he stated: (1) No agreement of the kind could take effect without ratification of Diet; (2) very doubtful whether Diet would [Page 496] ratify. Between now and November when Diet will meet he considers that there is time to negotiate treaty which he is confident could be ratified early in the session.
By virtue of law taking effect August 8th, petroleum and products imported from countries enjoying most-favored-nation treatment now obtain tariff reductions which importers American oil products consider will injure their business seriously.