711.00 Statement July 16, 1937/45: Telegram
The Chargé in Iran (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:12 p.m.]
57. Your telegram No. 31, July 22, 6 p.m.33 Radio Bulletin 164 only received yesterday. In an interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs this morning I handed him a copy of the statement and communicated to him verbally your desire to be informed of his reactions to it. He had not seen it nor did he know of its existence as no reference to it had appeared in the local press. See in this connection Legation’s telegram No. 52, July 17, 11 a.m.34
The Foreign Minister said he would study your declaration of policy very carefully and let me know his considered opinion shortly. He asked me to tell you at once that he was in hearty agreement with the principles you announce but he anticipated difficulties in connection with reduction of armaments and the removal of trade barriers until all governments were of the same opinion.
I also called on the Afghan Chargé d’Affaires and left with him a copy of the statement which he promised to forward immediately by mail to his Minister of Foreign Affairs.