711.60 f 2/21
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Czechoslovakia (Einstein)
Sir: By your telegram No. 15 of April 18, 1927, 1 p.m., replying to the Department’s telegram No. 9 of April 2 [1], 1927, 6 p.m., you reported that the Government of Czechoslovakia accepted the proposal of this Government to enter into the negotiation of a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights on the basis of a draft to be submitted by this Government.
There is enclosed herewith a draft of a treaty of friendship, commerce and consular rights10 for submission to the Government of Czechoslovakia through your Legation. An additional copy is also enclosed for your Legation.
The following statement is designed to make clear the position of this Government concerning the general features of the treaty, and respecting the various provisions thereof.
The Treaty is designed to promote friendly intercourse between the peoples of the United States and Czechoslovakia, through provisions advantageous to both. It may be said with entire candor that this treaty embodies no attempt whatever to attain by sharp [Page 543] bargaining undue advantages over a friendly State. The draft contains in certain articles provisions which in their practical operation ought to be deemed of special advantage to a foreign contracting party such as Czechoslovakia. These advantages are incorporated in the treaty because they are deemed to promote justice as between the peoples of friendly States. In a word, through the present draft, it is sought to lay the foundation for a comprehensive arrangement responsive to the exacting requirements of modern States. To that end, the several articles are expressed in terms which definitely and clearly set forth what is desired. It is sought by this means to avoid the danger of conflicting interpretations. The terms and phrases used are not always those which have been employed in treaties of the United States. Those utilized will, it is hoped, add to the clearness of the document.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This Government is desirous of expediting the conduct of negotiations as much as is consistent with devoting a proper consideration to the subject matter with a view to making as much progress as possible before the summer vacations begin. The Department would like to submit the signed treaty to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification at its session which will convene in December next.
Please inform the Department by telegraph of the date on which you submit the draft to the Foreign Office.
I am [etc.]