Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1928, Volume III

856d.6363/547

The Minister in the Netherlands ( Tobin ) to the Secretary of State

The Hague , July 21, 1928 .
[Received August 8.]

No. 1561

Sir: Confirming my telegram No. 35, of July 17, 4 p.m., I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy and translation of a Note from the Foreign Office²¹ informing me of the signature, on July 17th of four contracts granting petroleum concessions in the Dutch East Indies to the Koloniale Petroleum Company. I enclose as well a copy of my acknowledgment of this communication, in which I formally convey to the Netherland Government recognition by the United States as a reciprocating nation within the meaning of the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of February 25, 1920.

I am informed that my note probably will be communicated by the Colonial Minister to the States General in fulfilment of his promise to keep the legislative body informed of the final outcome of this question.

The contracts just signed by the Colonial Minister constitute executive action which would appear to bring to a practical and satisfactory conclusion the discussions which we began eight years ago to obtain from the Dutch Government recognition of the fundamental principle of reciprocal treatment with respect to the development of natural resources and to secure for American interests a substantial participation in the petroleum industry of the Netherland East Indies similar to that enjoyed by Netherland citizens in the United States.

I have [etc.]

Richard M. Tobin

[Enclosure]

The American Minister ( Tobin ) to the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs ( Beelaerts )

The Hague , July 21, 1928 .

No. 642

Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s Note of July 19, 1928 (Economic Section, No. 22689),²² informing me that four contracts granting petroleum concessions in the Dutch East Indies to American interests were signed on July 17th. The conditions for which my Government hoped having now been established, I am authorized to convey to Your Excellency the assurance that the Government of the United States of America recognizes the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands as a reciprocating State within the meaning of the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of February 25, 1920.

May I be permitted to express my personal satisfaction at the successful culmination of the efforts of Your Excellency’s Government and that of the United States to arrive at an agreement whereby the Government of each country grants to nationals of the other reciprocal access with respect to mineral resources.

I avail myself [etc.]

Richard M. Tobin

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