791.003/92: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Persia (Philip)
[Paraphrase]
Washington, April 25,
1928—6 p.m.
35. Your 39, April 13, 8 p.m.
- (1)
- Owing to the generally satisfactory character of the two
conversations you had with Teimourtache, authorization is given you
to begin formal negotiations. As a first step toward complete United
States-Persian treaty relations, you will propose conclusion
immediately of an exchange of notes relating to the tariff. These
notes are to be identical with those exchanged December 9, 1924,
with Greece33 (see Treaty Series No. 706) and also
with fifteen other countries, except that there will occur the
following changes, of which the chief ones are meant to eliminate
using the expression “most-favored-nation” in deference to Persia’s
susceptibilities:
- (a)
- Throughout your note you will substitute “Persia” for “Greece”.
- (b)
- In paragraph 1, you will insert “our” before “recent conversations” and omit “held at Washington”;
- (c)
- In paragraph 2, lines 5 and 6, after “accord” you will insert in both cases “unconditionally”.
- (d)
- In paragraph 2, line 7, you will omit “unconditional mostfavored-nation treatment” and will substitute therefor “treatment not inferior to that accorded to the commerce of any other country”.
- (e)
- In paragraph 2, line 10, you will omit “as favorable” and will substitute therefor “no less advantageous”, and in line 11 will substitute “than” for “as”.
- (2)
- The Department has been informed by the British Ambassador here that the British Minister in Persia has been sent instructions to urge Teimourtache at once to draw up and to communicate to the interested [Page 710] Legations at Teheran an official note which will state the Persian Government’s intention to establish modern civil, commercial, and criminal courts and will in particular embody the safeguards Persia is prepared to allow foreigners after May 10, 1928. The British Minister has been instructed also to consult you and the German Minister regarding the terms of this note. Considering the statement by Teimourtache to you that Persia is fully aware of its obligations respecting the new codes and the protection of foreign nationals, it is presumed by the Department that a note such as is envisaged by the British Government would have distinct advantages from the standpoint of the Persian Government itself, particularly because of the unilateral character of this note. The Department wishes you to cooperate with the British and German representatives at Teheran in regard to this proposed note, with a view especially of assuring that it will be as complete and detailed as possible. All the safeguards for foreign nationals in Persia which have been accepted by Teimourtache after representations made to him by the United States, British, and German representatives should at least be included.
Further instructions, referring especially to the question of penal jurisdiction, will shortly be cabled to you.
Kellogg