Office of the Historian

653.116/36

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Portugal (Andrews)

Washington, April 11, 1928.
No. 898

Sir: The Department makes reference to the Legation’s telegram No. 7, February 24, 5 p.m., and to its despatch No. 1538 of July 1, 1926.12

The Department feels that acceptance by Portugal of the principle of national treatment of shipping should be the occasion, on Mr. Dearing’s return, for the expression of gratification. It may also afford a desirable opportunity to propose a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights, which not only would give reciprocal effect to the principle of national treatment of shipping, but would place on a more definite and satisfactory basis the commercial relations between Portugal and the United States.

[Page 775]

Accordingly, on Mr. Dearing’s return, unless he perceives objection to such a course, it is desired that he utilize an early opportunity to carry out the foregoing proposal. If the Foreign Office appears to be receptive, he may appropriately furnish it with copies of recent American commercial treaties, such as that of December 8, 1923, with Germany,13 and the subsequent treaties with Estonia and Hungary,14 and he may also inform the Foreign Office that he will shortly be in a position to submit a draft of treaty prepared especially for negotiation with Portugal. On his telegraphic request, such draft will be mailed to the Legation as soon as practicable.

It appears to the Department that careful preparatory work by the Minister will be necessary in order to persuade the Foreign Office to accept the American point of view for equality of treatment in respect of commerce and of shipping. His judgment as to time and manner of presentation is depended upon and he is requested to use all reasonable endeavor to bring about the desired result.

There is enclosed for your strictly confidential information only, a copy of a memorandum prepared in the Department on March 9, 1928, entitled “Portugal’s Shipping Discriminations”.15

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Nelson Trusler Johnson
  1. Despatch No. 1538 not printed.↩
  2. Foreign Relations, 1923, vol. ii, p. 29.↩
  3. Ibid., 1925, vol. ii, pp. 70 and 341.↩
  4. Not printed.↩