791.003/89: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Houghton) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 5—1:50 p.m.]
68. Foreign Office informed me today telegram has been received from Clive in answer to Chamberlain’s27 telegram referred to in next to last paragraph of my telegram 65, March 31, noon. Clive stated he had again discussed matter judicial advisers with Minister of Court who stated Persian Government had recently passed a law of compulsory arbitration when desired by either party and that furthermore Persian Government agreed that upon requests of any [Page 704] “British” subject under detention Persian authorities would notify nearest British consul.
Clive stated his belief shared by certain of his colleagues that good will of Persian Government should be tested by separate negotiations on part of several interested Governments, but that failing thereby to reach some time before May 10th acceptable compromise with Persian Government then joint action by several powers be considered. Foreign Office seemed inclined to favor this suggestion.
On leaving I requested an appointment for today week with Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who said that at that time he hoped I might have some word from the Department of State as to Washington’s attitude in regard to Persian affairs especially in view of the frank discussions and information that the Foreign Office supplied. I stated I would so inform my Government.
- Sir Austen Chamberlain, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.↩