611.6731/61: Telegram
The High Commissioner in Turkey (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7 p.m.]
8. My telegrams 4, January 19, 5 p.m. and 6, January 26, 3 p.m.31 The law recently published January 2, 1926, provides that the maximum multiple of tariff will be applied February 20. If by that time we have not concluded modus vivendi providing that minimum multiples shall be applied to American merchandise for a period of 6 months, it will be very difficult if not impossible to [Page 995] arrange in any other way for exemption. In the meantime this uncertainty is interfering with American business. Minister for Foreign Affairs has informed delegate, Angora, that he hoped modus vivendi would be arranged without delay. Meanwhile I have replied in appropriate way, without making commitments, to Turkish note recently received extending favored-nation treatment to American merchandise pending arrangement payments for 6 months. Under these circumstances I consider immediate action necessary. I suggest that I be authorized to take up at once the arrangement of a modus vivendi in very simple terms for a period of 6 months, pending the ratification of the treaty whereby we agree with Turkey to observe the provisions of articles 11, 12 and 13 of the treaty signed at Lausanne August 6, 1923. The simpler and shorter such agreement is, the less formal it will be and much easier to arrange. For the Department’s information, Belgian Minister has just concluded such an arrangement whereby Turkey accords benefits of Lausanne convention in exchange for favored-nation treatment. Please instruct.
- Latter not printed.↩