Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1928, Volume III

791.003/110: Telegram

The Minister in Persia (Philip) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

Teheran, May 2, 1928—8 p.m.
[Received May 2—2:40 p.m.]

44. Department’s 36, April 27, 7 p.m.

(1) Clive emphatically states his opposition to the suggested postponement of Persia’s exercise of penal jurisdiction after May 10, which surely would be refused, and also to concerted pressure by the foreign powers as to this or any other question involved in the negotiations now, which Clive thinks would only render the Persian Government’s attitude much less reasonable than is the case at present. Both the German Minister and I see no hope of any postponement respecting judicial matters.

(2) On April 26 Teimourtache read to me the draft of an official note to be sent the treaty powers. It embodied assurances regarding the Persian Government’s obligations respecting new codes and safeguards for interests of foreign nationals. There was also a paragraph which recognized religious and other institutions, resembling the Department’s proposal in its 24, March 14, 3 p.m. It favored substitution of “educational laws” for “good morals” and in other respects appeared fairly satisfactory. The British Minister likewise deems the Persian Government’s attitude regarding safeguards to be reasonably satisfactory and believes all the powers alike will benefit from them.

(3) As I have intimated previously, acceptance of the new tariff is being withheld by the British Government until its receipt of satisfactory assurances concerning outstanding British claims. The British Legation recently received a note on this subject, and I understand it was not entirely satisfactory.

(4) In view of the short time remaining, I believe the wisest course for the Department would be to authorize me to reach any favorable agreement provisionally that would assure the United States all the safeguards accorded any other power. In the meantime, I await a reply to the proposal of a tariff agreement which I submitted April 26.

Philip