710.G Commercial Agreement/36: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Gilbert)
98. Your 252, September 20, noon;10 256, September 21, noon. The Department, as you know, views the general acceptance of the agreement [Page 19] refraining from the use of the most-favored-nation clause in respect of certain multilateral conventions as of great importance to the development of the international commercial policy of all countries. However anxious it may be that the Assembly take favorable action, it is at present deeply concerned lest any false step be taken that might retard the general signature of the agreement. An adverse vote in the Second Committee, based perhaps on a misunderstanding of the question, would be extremely unfortunate.
The foregoing is for your guidance. It may be necessary for you to take a more positive position to prevent any result that would hamper the efforts of this Government to obtain signature of the agreement by all important commercial countries. The Department will be glad to receive by telegraph and to assist in answering, specific statements of objection to the agreement.
Part of paragraph 3 of your 256 is being telegraphed to American Missions in capitals Latin American countries members of the League for the information of the governments to which they are accredited.
- Not printed.↩