STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE REGARDING BOLSHEVIK AIMS AND POLICIES IN MEXICO AND LATIN AMERICA Date and number 1927 Subject Page Jan. 12 Statement Left by the Secretary of State With the Senate Com- 356 Discussion of Bolshevik anti-American activity in Mexico and Latin America, as evidenced in party resolutions and publications (excerpts printed). (Footnote: Information that copies of the statement were transmitted to diplomatic officers in Latin America in a circular instruction, January 27.) REPRESENTATION OF THE UNITED STATES AT THE MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS, HELD AT RIO DE JANEIRO, APRIL 18-MAY 20, 1927 1927 Mar. 15 May 11 (17) May 12 (22) May 13 (18) May 14 (24) To Dr. James Brown Scott General instructions with regard to duties as a U. S. delegate to the International Commission of Jurists which will meet in Rio de Janeiro in April to study the codification of American public and private international law. (Footnote: Information that an identical instruction was Instructions to ascertain whether Dr. Scott is accurately Communication from Messrs. Scott and Reeves, stating that Communication for Messrs. Scott and Reeves (text printed), instructing them to refrain from introducing the plan for the reason that U. S. Government would be involved in an implied commitment to a plan which it has had no opportunity to examine and would thereby be limited in its freedom of action at the forthcoming Pan American Conference. From the Ambassador in Brazil (tel.) Communication from Messrs. Scott and Reeves (text printed), stating compliance with Department's telegram of May 13. 364 367 368 369 369 REPRESENTATION OF THE UNITED STATES AT THE MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS, HELD AT RIO DE JANEIRO, APRIL 18-MAY 20, 1927Continued Date and number 1927 June 10 Subject From the Delegates of the United States to the International Com- Report on procedure and labors of Commission, resulting in a Page 369 REPLY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO QUESTIONNAIRES ON INTERNATIONAL LAW SUBMITTED BY THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS 1927 Aug. 17 (489) Dec. 16 Dec. 16 (99) From the British Ambassador Information that British Government, in reply to a League circular letter of June 7 (excerpt printed), has stated that the proposed revision of classification of diplomatic agents is not considered desirable; belief that U. S. Government will reply in like terms. To the British Ambassador Advice that the U. S. Government concurs in British view and will inform the League of its disapproval of the proposed revision. To the Minister in Switzerland (tel.) Communication for Secretary General of the League (text printed), disapproving proposals for (1) convention for communication of judicial and extrajudicial acts in penal matters and letters rogatory in penal matters, (2) convention to define legal position and functions of consuls, and (3) revision of classification of diplomatic agents, but approving proposal for a convention concerning competence of the courts in regard to foreign states. 410 411 411 OPINION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE ON STATUS OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS OFFICIALS IN THE UNITED STATES 1927 Sept. 28 From the Acting Counselor of the British Embassy to the Chief of 413 Nov. 7 Inquiry as to privileges accorded to officials of the League of From the Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs to the Information that a League official would customarily be 414 EXEMPTIONS FROM TAXATION AND CUSTOMS DUTIES ENJOYED BY FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR OFFICERS IN THE UNITED STATES Information concerning exemptions from taxation and customs duties enjoyed by foreign diplomatic and consular officers in the United States. RIGHT OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO ACQUIRE, WITHOUT RESTRICTION, PROPERTY FOR EMBASSY OR LEGATION PURPOSES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 1927 Jan. 14 (1332) From the Egyptian Chargé 417 Request for information as to whether U. S. laws restrict in any way the right of foreign governments to own property. Jan. 25 To the Egyptian Chargé Information that U. S. Government places no restrictions on the owning of property by foreign governments for Embassy or Legation purposes in the District of Columbia, and that it is exempt from general and special taxes or assessments, but that there are certain other expenses incident to the property, not in the nature of the tax, which must be paid. 417 SUITS AGAINST UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD VESSELS IN FOREIGN COURTS 1927 Aug. 30| To Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Dip. Ser. 650, G. I. Cons. 1053) Instructions to amend previous instructions concerning suits in foreign courts against Shipping Board vessels, in view of pertinent Supreme Court decision of June 7, 1926; instructions, however, that decision does not change the Department's general policy of refraining from claiming immunity in foreign courts for U. S. Shipping Board vessels, and that no request for immunity should be made unless the Department specifically instructs that such action be taken in a particular instance. 418 RULES OF PRECEDENCE As Between CERTAIN OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES 1927 Aug. 10 Executive Order No. 4705 Prescribing rules of precedence as between (1) Ambassadors, Ministers, and Foreign Service officers of the United States, (2) U. S. Army officers, (3) U. S. Navy and Marine officers, and (4) U. S. Foreign Commerce officers. 419 ARGENTINA PROPOSED TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP, COMMERCE and Consular Rights BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ARGENTINA Date and number Subject Page 1927 Sept. 20 (18) From the Ambassador in Argentina Unwillingness of Argentina to conclude at the present time a treaty containing an unconditional most-favored-nation clause, as evidenced in Foreign Minister's note of September 8 (text printed), which requests U. S. views concerning the signing of a protocol (text printed) which would provide for denunciation, upon 6 months' notice, of the U. S.-Argentine commercial treaty of July 27, 1853. 421 EFFORTS TO SECURE FOR AMERICAN FIRMS EQUAL CONSIDERATION WITH OTHER FOREIGN COMPANIES IN BIDS FOR ARGENTINE NAVAL CONSTRUCTION 1926 May 21 (39) Sept. 9 (36) Sept. 11 (63) Oct. 18 (41) Oct. 19 (76) Oct. 19 (77) From the Ambassador in Argentina (tel.) Information that Argentina contemplates construction of several naval vessels, that U. S. naval attaché is following developments closely, and that Embassy is according all proper assistance to Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation's representative in the matter. To the Ambassador in Argentina (tel.) Instructions, in view of reports of strong foreign competition for submarine contracts, to request appropriate authorities to grant an equal opportunity for American firms to compete for the business. From the Ambassador in Argentina (tel.) Indications that Italy is pressing efforts to have the submarines built in that country; Argentine Foreign Minister's assurance that American bids will receive equal consideration with those of other foreign firms; intention of U. S. naval attaché to take appropriate action with the Ministry of Marine. To the Ambassador in Argentina (tel.) Understanding that Argentine Government is ready to award contracts for destroyers, submarines, and cruisers; that it is carrying on business with France, Great Britain, and Italy, exclusively; and that it does not intend to give Bethlehem Steel Co. or other American shipbuilders an opportunity to bid. Instructions to make informal but emphatic representations against the discrimination. From the Ambassador in Argentina (tel.) Information from Minister of Marine that American shipbuilders such as Fore River and Cramps are being asked for bids; intention of Ambassador to discuss Bethlehem Steel Co. matter with Foreign Minister. From the Ambassador in Argentina (tel.) Decision of Ambassador not to make further representations, unless so instructed by Department, because of information from Minister of Marine showing that American shipbuilders have submitted bids and that the Argentine mission in the United States has recently been instructed to request bids from the Bethlehem Steel Co. 424 424 425 425 426 426 EFFORTS TO SECURE FOR AMERICAN FIRMS EQUAL CONSIDERATION WITH OTHER FOREIGN COMPANIES IN BIDS FOR ARGENTINE NAVAL CONSTRUCTIONContinued Date and number Subject Page 1927 Jan. 7 Jan. 14 Mar. 1 (9) Mar. 9 (11) Mar. 10 (27) Apr. 7 (261) Apr. 15 (38) Memorandum by the Economic Adviser of a Conversation With Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State of a Telephone Information that Assistant Secretary told Mr. Knowlton To the Chargé in Argentina (tel.) Opinion of Bethlehem Steel Co. that for political reasons the naval contracts will be divided among France, Great Britain, and Italy, even though the British and French bids, like the Bethlehem bids, are higher than the Italian bids; and that it still seems to be the intention to float the loan in the United States. Instructions to express to Foreign Minister the hope that an equitable share of the business will be given to American firms and to add that proposed loan flotation will be difficult unless a fair share of construction is placed in the United States. To the Chargé in Argentina (tel.) Instructions to advise present status of matter. Representations to Foreign Minister as instructed in De- From the Chargé in Argentina Information that one of the primary reasons for Bethlehem Co.'s failure to reach understanding with Argentine Government is the high cost of manufacture in the United States; that Electric Boat Co. is in a stronger position than Bethlehem because an Argentine commission had previously recommended adoption of Holland type of submarine; advice from Foreign Minister that the matter now rests entirely with the President and Minister of Marine. From the Chargé in Argentina (tel.) Advice that no contracts have been signed as yet, but that the awards for submarines will probably go to France, sloops and flotilla leaders to Great Britain, and cruisers to Italy; Chargé's comment to Foreign Under Secretary that proposed submarine award would be contrary to Argentine commission's recommendation; information that the loan may possibly be handled by British bankers if their terms are almost as favorable as the American terms. 258346-42-vol. I- 5 427 428 429 429 430 430 432 |