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  4. Document 706

711.582/16a

The Secretary of State to the Swedish Minister (Wallenberg)

Washington, July 24, 1925.

Sir: In pursuance of conversations which officers of the Department recently had with you, I have the honor to inform you that this Government is cordially disposed toward entering into negotiations with the Government of Sweden for the conclusion of a treaty of friendship, commerce and consular rights. As appropriate to beginning negotiations I take pleasure in submitting to you the draft of a proposed treaty.1

You will observe from the preamble that the document embodies a treaty of friendship as well as of commerce and consular rights. It is designed to promote friendly intercourse between the peoples of the United States and of Sweden. The several articles are expressed in terms which definitely set forth the principles involved. By this means it is sought to avoid as far as possible danger of conflicting interpretations. It is believed that the provisions as drawn lay the foundation for a comprehensive arrangement responsive to the modern requirements of maritime states.

Article VII makes full provision for the enjoyment of the most favored nation treatment in its unconditional form, as applied to persons, vessels and cargoes, and to articles the growth, produce or manufacture of the United States and of Sweden. It will be seen that the most favored nation clause is applied to duties on imports and exports and to other charges, restrictions and prohibitions on [Page 741] goods imported and exported. In Article XXX it is provided that the Treaty shall from the date of the exchange of ratifications supplant, terminate and annul the Consular Convention concluded by the United States and Sweden on June 1, 1910.2

You will of course understand that the Department reserves the right to make minor changes in the draft in the course of the negotiations.

In transmitting this draft to you I am glad to confirm the understanding that the negotiations will be carried on in Washington. The American Legation in Stockholm will, however, be kept fully informed of the progress of the negotiations and will be prepared to engage in conversations directly with the Swedish Foreign Office.

Accept [etc.]

Frank B. Kellogg

  1. Not printed. The draft, containing 30 articles, is essentially the same and for the most part identical as to articles I to XXIX with the same articles of the treaty with Germany, Dec. 8, 1923 (Foreign Relations, 1923, vol. ii, p. 29), with the insertion of the following paragraph between the 5th and 6th paragraphs of article VII: “In the same manner there shall be perfect reciprocal equality in relation to the flags of the two countries with regard to bounties, drawbacks, and other privileges of this nature of whatever denomination which may be allowed in the territories of each of the Contracting Parties, on goods imported or exported in national vessels so that such bounties, drawbacks and other privileges shall also and in like manner be allowed on goods imported or exported in vessels of the other country.”

    Article XXX of the treaty with Germany is omitted in the draft; and articles XXXI and XXXII, altered in certain respects, become article XXX of the draft.

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  2. Foreign Relations, 1911, p. 723.↩