891.51A/7–1344: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Iran (Ford)
461. Depts approach to Ebtehaj on the basis of your 499, July 1323 was only partially satisfactory. He authorized Dept to inform Millspaugh that while he is still of the opinion Millspaugh is incapable of carrying out the duties undertaken he (Ebtehaj) will be willing to meet with him “at the bank” to hear his views immediately on his return to Tehran.
For your information Ebtehaj in a meeting at Dept on July 26 expressed deep dissatisfaction at the trend of relations between the United States and Iran and stated bluntly that it appears the United States has refused the hand of friendship extended by the Iranians. He bases this statement on the following series of incidents: President Roosevelt’s failure to return the Shah’s visit while in Tehran, his own inability to obtain an interview with the President for the purpose [Page 423] of delivering a letter addressed to the President by the Shah,24 the recall of Minister Dreyfus, and the subordinate and humiliating position of Iran at the Monetary Conference. He had he said intended to return to Iran and recommend that his country no longer humiliate itself but seek friendship elsewhere “even from a third-rate power”. However, he was somewhat placated by a meeting July 26 with the Secretary, whose sincere and convincing statement of friendship for Iran impressed him greatly. He states that he is taking the Shah’s letter back to Iran undelivered since his instructions were to hand it personally to the President. It seems not unlikely that Ebtehaj will take a strong anti-American line on return to Tehran, although his conversations on July 26 with the Secretary, with Ambassador Steinhardt (on the basis of the latter’s personal friendship with Prime Minister Saed) and with the officers of the Middle Eastern Division may have caused him to modify his position.
Please inform Millspaugh that certain articles regarding the Monetary Conference are enroute to you by mail. Further information will be sent when available.
The matter treated in your 491, July 11,25 is under confidential investigation by Treasury.
Please keep the Department informed of Ebtehaj’s attitude on his return. He plans to leave here by air July 30.
- Not printed; it read in part: “Millspaugh has requested Legation to telegraph Department asking that message be conveyed to Ebtehaj to the effect that Millspaugh who desires to patch matters up with him would like to see him immediately upon his return Tehran before he sees anyone else.” (891.51 A/7–1344)↩
- Dated June 17, p. 338.↩
- Not printed.↩