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Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The Minister of The Netherlands54 called at his own request. He spoke entirely about the Mexican oil negotiations and the interest of Dutch Shell in that connection. He said he was under the impression that there might be increased opportunities for a settlement and that his Government hoped this Government would stand firm in insisting on the rights of our nationals.
I replied that I felt constrained to await the return of the Mexican Ambassador during next week and for a conference with him before making predictions; that I hoped the present situation, which leaves Mexico without an oil market, would encourage her to offer reasonable settlement with our oil owners; that, of course, my Government had overlooked no word or act from the beginning that would be helpful in promoting a settlement; that it went without saying that this Government “is standing firm,” to use the Minister’s expression, arid doing all possible.
- A. Loudon.↩