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

791.003/118: Telegram

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

[Paraphrase]

Teheran, May 10, 1928—3 p.m.
[Received May 10—12:05 p.m.]

53. Reference Department’s 38, May 8, 11 a.m. [7 p.m.]

(1) Teimourtache showed surprise in receiving my representations regarding the Department’s observations on jurisdiction in personal status and family law, since he had considered that the laws of the United States were taken fully into consideration by the clause “within the limits of the laws of the country in which they are residing” (mentioned in my 48, May 7, 2 p.m.). He has offered now, however, to delete all reference from the proposed arrangement to the question of personal status, etc., and suggests the latter be handled subsequently in a note or in the definitive treaties to be negotiated eventually, whichever the Department elects.

(2) With this alteration made, I hope the Department will authorize me at once to sign the other agreements, which, I believe, accord to the United States more favorable treatment than to the other interested powers. I regret to report that delay has deprived the United States of the prestige due the first power to accord to Persia what must be given ultimately by all.

(3) The British Government having reached an agreement with Persia, the British representative will today, at 5 p.m., sign a provisional agreement.³⁹ This morning the French Minister signed one.⁴⁰ With the difficulty of the nonacceptance by Great Britain of the new tariff having been removed, Germany and other powers will now follow suit.⁴¹

Philip

39. For treaty in regard to tariff autonomy of Persia, signed May 10, 1928, and notes exchanged, see Great Britain, Cmd. 3606, Persia No. 1 (1930); for Persian declaration on safeguards of May 10, see ibid., pp. 20 ff.
40. For provisional agreement, signed May 11, exchange of notes dated May 10, and 11, 1928, and Persian declaration on safeguards of May 10, see League of Nations Treaty Series, vol. lxxxii, pp. 43 ff.
41. For provisional agreement with Belgium, signed May 15, 1928, see League of Nations Treaty Series, vol. xciv, p. 447; for notes of the same date exchanged with Germany, see ibid., vol. cvii, p. 389.