611.5131/1027b: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France ( Straus )
492. Mr. Sayre this morning handed French Ambassador the aide-mémoire quoted in our 482, December 4, 9 p.m. At the same time he took occasion to emphasize the importance of early ratification of the double taxation treaty, pointing out that there was a group in the government which wished to make this ratification a condition precedent to negotiations; that no mention had been made of the treaty in our aide-mémoire but that if action were not shortly forthcoming the above opinion might come to prevail. The Ambassador is further telegraphing on the possibility of concluding a modus vivendi as outlined to you pending a more comprehensive trade agreement. It is possible that you will be approached on one or more phases of this interview.