611.62M31/81
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Bingham)
Sir: The Department refers to the Embassy’s despatch No. 895 of August 16, 1934, in reply to its instruction No. 506 of August 3, 1934, dealing with the New Zealand mandated territory of Western Samoa and the Tripartite Treaty of 1899. There is enclosed herewith, for the information of the Embassy, a copy of despatch No. 15, of September 13, 1934, from the American Consulate General at Wellington, New Zealand, on the same subject.8
The Department desires to call your particular attention to the passages on page 3 to the effect that the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Forbes, has stated that the whole matter is one of more concern to Great Britain than to New Zealand and that the New Zealand Government will be guided by the wishes of the British Government.
For obvious reasons, the Department is anxious that the Treaty of 1899 be restored to its full integrity prior to the opening of the next session of Congress. As the economic interests involved, whether shipping or commerce, are exceedingly small, it is hoped that the British and New Zealand Governments will view the matter primarily as one of fulfilling their treaty obligations and that you may be able to obtain a prompt and satisfactory answer to the note which you delivered at the Foreign Office on August 15, 1934.
Please keep the Department informed.
Very truly yours,
- Supra.↩