791.003/93: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 13—6:35 p.m.]
73. The German Foreign Office today received a report from the German Ambassador at Washington of his yesterday’s conversation with Assistant Secretary Castle about Persia. This afternoon the Embassy was informed orally and informally that the 6 points which Mr. Castle enumerated represent generally also what Germany would like to obtain; but the practical situation is described thus:
As to points 1 and 2, Germany accepts as final the refusal by Persia to admit foreign judicial advisers through express treaty provision, but still is trying to induce the Persian Government in a covering note to undertake to consider, following signature of the treaty, the possibility of such officers being admitted. Great Britain is understood also to be weakening in this matter, because it is convinced that such advisers as Persia might conceivably admit would be of slight practical value.
Point 3 has already been conceded by construction.
Points 4 and 5 also have been substantially conceded. Although Persia declines to use the phrase “most-favored-nation”, it will agree to an inverted form.
As to point 6, Germany is unable to cooperate owing to the established general policy of German missionaries entering Islamic countries at their own risk. Germany maintains no schools in Persia, only subsidizing German teachers in native schools.
The German Minister in Persia is expected about April 15 to receive a draft treaty from Berlin. This is the standard type of German treaty, altered along the lines above indicated in order to fit the Persian case.