AMERICAN REPRESENTATION AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC CONFERENCE, GENEVA,
May 4-23, 1927—Continued
Memorandum by Mr. Wallace McClure, Assistant to the
Economic Adviser
Conversation with Congressman Cordell Hull, February 7,
in which Mr. Hull expressed hearty interest in a discussion by
the Conference of a general reduction of import duties and
equality of treatment in commercial matters.
From the Chairman of the American Delegation to the Inter-
national Economic Conference
Report on the work of the Conference, and annexed list of
personnel of the American delegation (texts printed); con-
clusion that Conference has pointed ways for the removal or
modification of obstacles to the natural flow of international
trade, and for the lowering of costs of production.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR THE ABOLITION OF IMPORT AND EXPORT
PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, GENEVA, OCTOBER 17-NOVEMBER 8, 1927
From the Consul at Geneva (tel.)
Decision of League to invite all countries which participated in International Economic Conference to attend Diplomatic Conference for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions at Geneva, October 17.
the in Switzerland (.)
15 To ha unajmistet der Swife
virtadi tel to the Conference has been 18 ronformation that an invitation was contained in League's
the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)
circular letter No. 29, April 2, transmitted to Department by
the Legation on April 13; and that the League, in a communi-
cation of June 27 which was forwarded by the Legation on
June 28, requested to be advised whether the United States
would participate.
To the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)
Instructions to advise Secretariat, in reply to communication
of June 27, that the United States cannot consider circular
letter No. 29, April 2, as an invitation to any diplomatic con-
ference, because it is a mimeographed, unsigned document,
in which even the space for the name of the invited Govern-
ment is left blank.
From the Minister in Switzerland
Transmittal of signed duplicate of League circular letter
No. 29 of April 2, inviting the United States to participate in a
Conference with a view to framing an international conven-
tion for abolishing import and export prohibitions and re-
strictions, and enclosing preliminary draft agreement drawn
up by the League Economic Committee (texts printed).
To the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)
Communication for Secretary General of League(text printed),
advising that United States accepts invitation and has desig-
nated Mr. Hugh Wilson, American Minister in Switzerland,
as delegate.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR THE ABOLITION OF IMPORT AND EXPORT
PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, GENEVA, OCTOBER 17-NOVEMBER 8, 1927— Continued
To the Minister in Switzerland
Notification of appointment as delegate, and communica-
tion of names of assistants; detailed instructions and comments
on each of the 12 articles comprising the preliminary draft
agreement; information that conclusion of a suitable agree-
ment is desired because of consequent advantages to both
American and international commerce.
To the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Further detailed instructions, in the event that proposal is
made to expand scope of draft agreement.
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Information that the first two sessions of Conference were
devoted to general statements.
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Report of proceedings of third and fourth sessions; request
for instructions as to Rumanian desire for inclusion in article 1
of a proposed statement (text printed) reserving to each state
the right to establish customs duties according to its necessi-
ties; Dutch insistence on right to impose restrictions; Ameri-
can delegate's statement to Conference as to necessity for
article 6 and intention of offering an amendment thereto.
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Report of proceedings of fifth session, in which American
delegate offered amendment to article 6 and introduced redraft
of article 3; vigorous debate on inclusion of subparagraph (e)
in American redraft of article 3.
To the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Indication that Rumanian text reported in telegram No. 4,
October 18, is unsatisfactory because it conflicts with Depart-
ment's draft article regarding export duties.
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Request for instructions as to Department's views on com-
promise text of article 3 offered by French for inclusion in final
act of Conference, as a substitute for American delegate's
amendment reported in telegram No. 5, October 19.
To the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
tariffs is outside the agenda; approval of action in regard to
article 6.
To the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Desire that article 3 be accepted in form proposed by De-
partment, and opinion that while not objectionable, French
draft is not as good as American.
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Declaration by president of Conference at sixth session that
discussion of details must be avoided and efforts concentrated
on essence of problem; French suggestion that import and ex-
port restrictions might be considered separately; information
that the day's proceedings have indicated a wide divergence in
views and that American delegate cannot make any predictions.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR THE ABOLITION OF IMPORT AND EXPORT
PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, GENEVA, OCTOBER 17-NOVEMBER 8, 1927— Continued
Oct. 21
(15) Oct. 21
(16)
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Extemporaneous statement to sixth session, setting forth
American views on articles 4, 5, and 7 and expressing fear that,
in its desire to have the maximum number of states adhere, the
Conference may sanction international practices which it is
convened to abolish.
To the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Authorization to concur in French suggestion reported in
telegram No. 11, October 20, if delegate thinks advisable;
approval of statement reported in telegram No. 12, October 20.
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Belief that satisfactory compromise (text printed) has been
reached on French text mentioned in telegram No. 8, October
19.
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Recommendation that Egyptian draft of article 11 be sup-
ported as being as satisfactory to the United States as can be
secured; request for instructions.
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Committee draft of article 1 (text printed).
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Inability of delegate to do other than acquiesce in chair-
man's request not to insist further at the present time in matter
of article 6; opinion that inclusion in final act of a general dis-
claimer stating that it is not the purpose of the convention to
interfere in tariff measures might sufficiently safeguard U. S.
rights under section 317 of the Tariff Act; request for instruc-
tions.
To the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Acceptability of compromise regarding article 3, as outlined
in telegram No. 13, October 21; instructions to support Egyp-
tian proposal set forth in telegram No. 14, October 21.
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.).
Request for instructions as to whether the question of
"standards” in article 4 may not be covered by a modification
in phrasing of paragraph 7 of that article.
To the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Acceptability of committee draft of article 1 reported in
telegram No. 15, October 21; insufficiency of disclaimer unless
an exception is also included in text of convention; instructions
to agree tentatively to the substitute for "standards” de-
scribed in telegram No. 17, October 22.
From the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Acceptance by Conference of Rumanian reservation as to
export of crude oil, American vote being only negative vote;
acceptance of American exception as regards helium gas.
Request for instructions as to Department attitude toward
signing convention at final reading the following Saturday.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR THE ABOLITION OF IMPORT AND EXPORT
PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, GENEVA, OCTOBER 17-NOVEMBER 8, 1927— Continued
Nov. 22
(190) (L. N. 1010)
To the Chief of the American Delegation (tel.)
Instructions not to sign on Saturday, for reason that U. S.
Government has not had sufficient time to give convention due
consideration and sees no reason for rushing through a matter
of such importance.
From the Minister in Switzerland
Report on work of the Conference; observation that while
the treaty contains many weaknesses, certain advantages will
accrue to American commerce if the United States should
become a signatory; recommendation that if the United States
decides to sign, it do so before February 1, 1928, in order to
express a definite reservation regarding helium.
(Footnote: Information that the convention was signed on the part of the United States on January 30, 1928.)
PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OY
EXPERTS ON DOUBLE TAXATION AND Tax EvasION, LONDON, APRIL 4-12, 1927
From the Chargé in Switzerland (tel.)
Desire of Committee of Experts on Double Taxation that
an American expert take part in their next meeting at London,
April 4; request of League Secretariat to be informed of Ameri-
can expert's name, in order that invitation may be sent.
To the Chargé in Switzerland (tel.)
Instructions to advise Secretariat of designation of Professor
Thomas S. Adams of Yale University.
Memorandum by Mr. Wallace McClure, Assistant to the Economic
Adviser
Record of conversation of Professor Adams with Department
officials, March 10, in which certain questions were discussed in
connection with his mission to forthcoming meeting.
RADIOTELEGRAPH CONVENTION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER
POWERS, SIGNED NOVEMBER 25, 1927
Convention Between the United States of America and Other
Powers
For the regulation of radiocommunications.
PROPOSED DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY HELD BY THE ALIEN PROPERTY CUSTODIAN
From the Austrian Minister
Request that recommendation be made to Congress for
enactment of legislation authorizing Alien Property Custodian
to return Austrian property as soon as it has been ascertained
that the money held in trust for the Austrian Government,
plus & cash deposit sufficient to bring the total up to 24 million
dollars, is sufficient to satisfy awards made against Austria by
the Tripartite Claims Commission.
To the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the
House of Representatives
Statement, requested by Committee, outlining the consider-
ations involved in the question whether provision should be
made for the return of Austrian and Hungarian property at
the same time as provision is made for the return of German
property; observation that memorandum by American agent,
Tripartite Claims Commission (text printed), shows an esti-
mate of the probable awards against Austria and Hungary in
excess of the 274 million deposit proposed by Austria.
ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER AMERICAN
REPUBLICS, SIGNED OCTOBER 19, 1927, AMENDING THE PAN AMERICAN SANITARY CONVENTION OF NOVEMBER 14, 1924
Additional Protocol Between the United States of America and
Other American Republics
Additional protocol to the Pan American sanitary convention.
CIRCULAR INSTRUCTION TO DIPLOMATIC OFFICERS AND CERTAIN CONSULAR
OFFICERS CONCERNING QUESTIONS ARISING FROM THE NEGOTIATION OF FOREIGN LOANS BY AMERICAN BANKERS
1927 Dec. 28 (Dip. Ser. 681)
To Diplomatic Officers and Certain Consular Officers
Instructions, in response to inquiries and suggestions received from diplomatic officers, as to policy to be followed in connection with the negotiation of foreign loans by American bankers.
From the Minister in Paraguay
Acceptance by Bolivia of good offices offered by Argentina to
aid in settling the Bolivian-Paraguayan boundary dispute;
Minister's opinion that if Argentine good offices result in
failure, Paraguay will immediately ask United States to solve
the difficulty.
To the Minister in Paraguay
Approval of Minister's attitude in avoiding indication or
comment as to possibility of U. S. willingness to enter into
negotiations looking to settlement of the controversy.
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