890D.927/118
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. George V. Allen of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs
| Participants: | Dr. John A. Wilson, Director, The Oriental Institute, University of Chicago |
| Mr. Murray8 | |
| Mr. Alling | |
| Mr. Allen |
Dr. Wilson said that his purpose in calling at the Division was to have a general discussion of the question of the concession for archeological excavations at Tel Fecheriya,9 Syria, granted by the French authorities at Beirut on January 1, 1940, for a period of six years.
Dr. Wilson said that three weeks ago he had instructed Mr. McEwan, his representative in Beirut 0and the person in whose name the concession was actually granted, to turn over to Mr. Engert, American Consul General there, the responsibility for protecting the rights of the Institute, and to return to the United States. Dr. Wilson wanted to know specifically whether the Department perceived any reason why Dr. McEwan should remain in Syria. Mr. Murray said that, while the decision regarding Mr. McEwan’s movements was of course one to be decided by the Oriental Institute or Mr. McEwan himself, he could see no reason, offhand, why the Department would have any basis for suggesting that Mr. McEwan remain in Beirut. Mr. Murray pointed out, however, the limitations of American consular officers in representing the interests of private American firms or institutions. He said that the Department had frequently extended its facilities to American philanthropic or cultural institutions to a somewhat greater extent than to American firms engaged in business for profit, and recalled the extent to which the Department had participated on behalf of the Oriental Institute in the negotiations concerning Persepolis,10 [Page 665] but he informed Dr. Wilson that, even though well established American cultural organizations such as the Oriental Institute might be involved, the Department’s representatives abroad could not assume the position of agents.
Dr. Wilson said that he had not been aware of this limitation but could appreciate the reasons therefor, and said that he would probably appoint some reputable private American citizen in Beirut, such as President Dodge of the American University, to act as its representative in the absence of Dr. McEwan.
Regarding the demand of German interests that the Institute’s concession be cancelled, Dr. Wilson said that the results of the first season’s excavations had been very satisfactory and that both the Oriental Institute and the other American institutions which had supplied money, including notably the Boston Museum, would prefer to keep the objects and records which they had obtained from the season’s work rather than to surrender them for an indemnity. He said that Mrs. McEwan had brought out to America in two suitcases the best objects found, but that the bulk of the finds and records was in cases stored at the American Legation in Baghdad. He said that he had intended leaving the remaining cases in Baghdad for an indefinite period, until shipping facilities were available.
It was suggested to Dr. Wilson that, in view of the uncertain conditions in the Near East, it would be advisable for him to arrange for the shipment of these cases from Baghdad as soon as possible, and the opinion was expressed that shipping facilities were available. Dr. Wilson said that he would act on this suggestion.
Dr. Wilson said that no American institution would send an archeological expedition to the Near East at the present time, but that he thought additional money could be raised for further work at Tel Fecheriya, based on the findings of the first season, at such time as a resumption of digging should become feasible. He said that if the Syrian archeological law, with which he was not familiar, provided that concessions must be operated each season in order to be held, he felt confident that the Institute could arrange for sufficient digging each season to satisfy the requirements of the law. He thought two weeks’ work might be sufficient.
On leaving, Dr. Wilson stated specifically that the Oriental Institute desired the American Government to make a full reservation of the rights of the Institute to the concession at Tel Fecheriya. In stating this general position, however, he wished it understood that if a reservation of these rights should involve the acceptance of an indemnity and the return of the finds, the Institute would prefer to forego the indemnity.