791.003/78a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Persia ( Philip )
12. Department’s 11, February 13, 8 p.m. As a result of conversation therein described, British Ambassador has supplied the Department with a copy of a summary of the 16 principal safeguards the British Government desires for the protection of nationals in Persia following abrogation of the treaties.12 Presumably you also have a copy of the same summary, covering in general the ground embodied in the 10 points listed in Department’s 6, January 26, 6 p.m.
The British Government’s views are defined as follows by the Ambassador here:
- (1)
- Opposition to any collective diplomatic demarche because of fear that Persian nationalist susceptibilities may be aroused.
- (2)
- Would be most useful in case the representatives of the capitulatory powers could work together along the same fundamental lines when conversing with Persian Government about the protection of nationals after the treaties are abrogated.
- (3)
- All 16 safeguards are important.
- (4)
- Should no arrangement be arrived at prior to May 10, 1928, the Persian Government should be urged to consent to the postponement of the new system being put into effect.
The British Minister in Persia is receiving instructions in the sense of (1) and (2).
The Department wishes you, with the least possible delay, to confer with the British Minister at Teheran and, after you refer to the Anglo-American exchange of views which took place here through the British Embassy to discuss fully with him the progress of his negotiations for a treaty, with especial reference to his frank opinion as to the relative importance of the proposed 16 safeguards and the Persian Government’s [Page 687] attitude so far manifested toward them. Please telegraph results of your talk with Clive.
If your conversation with him adds no new features to the situation, the Department contemplates giving you authority to inform the Persian Government of this Government’s readiness in principle to take up negotiation of a new treaty. Simultaneously you would, however, explain the views of this Government about the protection of foreigners in Persia following abrogation of the treaties in terms substantially reproducing the 16 safeguards proposed by the British Government, probably with some modifications and additions required by the nature of American interests in Persia and by American treaty practice. When the Department has considered the report of your talk with Clive, it will instruct you precisely concerning the form and substance of representations by you to Persia.
- Not printed.↩