FINLAND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FINLAND FOR MUTUAL UNCONDITIONAL MOST-FAVORED-NATION TREATMENT IN CUSTOMS MATTERS, SIGNED MAY 2, 1925-Continued Date and number 1924 Oct. 30 1925 Undated Subject Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State Draft note presented by the Finnish Minister (text printed) enlarging the scope of the agreement. To the Finnish Legation Insistence upon confining the exchange of notes to the subject of commerce. May 2 To the Finnish Minister 94 Statement of understanding with reference to mutual unconditional most-favored-nation treatment to be accorded in customs matters. May 2 From the Finnish Minister 96 Statement of understanding with reference to mutual unconditional most-favored-nation treatment to be accorded in customs matters. 98 Nov. 30 (28) Dec. 2 (46) To the Minister in Finland (tel.) Instructions to urge the Finnish Government to ratify the agreement at the earliest practicable date and to make it retroactive to November 27, 1925, the date on which the treaty concluded between Finland and Spain on July 16, 1925, goes into effect. From the Minister in Finland (tel.) Foreign Office note, November 25 (text printed), conveying assurance regarding the treatment of U. S. imports from November 27 onward. 98 Dec. 24 From the Finnish Minister 99 Notification that necessary legislative measures have been completed and that the agreement has been made effective in all its parts in Finland. AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FINLAND RESPECTING TONNAGE DUES AND OTHER CHARGES, SIGNED DECEMBER 21, 1925 1925 Apr. 30 To the Finnish Minister 99 Draft note (text printed) for the conclusion of an agreement, to be effected through an exchange of notes, respecting tonnage dues and other charges on vessels and imposts on the goods imported in them. Dec. 17 Memorandum by Mr. Wallace M. McClure, of the Office of the 101 Record of certain provisions inserted in the draft note at the request of the Finnish Minister. Dec. 21 To the Finnish Minister 101 Statement of understanding with respect to tonnage dues and other charges. Dec. 21 From the Finnish Minister 103 Statement of understanding with respect to tonnage dues and other charges. FINLAND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FINLAND RESPECTING TONNAGE DUES AND OTHER CHARGES, SIGNED DECEMBER 21, 1925-Continued Notification that the statute bringing into force the agreement on the part of Finland was enacted on January 29, 1926. FRANCE PRECAUTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SAFETY OF AMERICANS DURING THE SYRIAN INSURRECTION 1925 Aug. 7 Aug. 10 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Report on causes of the Druse uprising; the unsuccessful efforts of the French to subdue the uprising and the seriousness of the military situation; the sending by the French authorities at Damascus of their families to Beirut and their advice that the U. S. and Italian consuls do likewise. To the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Authorization to use his discretion, in consultation with the consul at Damascus, as to advising U. S. citizens in affected region to go to Beirut. Information that arrangements will be made for the dispatch of two U. S. destroyers from the Mediterranean to Beirut or Alexandria, if the consul deems it necessary. 105 106 Aug. 11 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) 106 Opinion that it is not yet necessary or advisable to send U. S. destroyers to Beirut. Report on the unsuccessful military measures of the French. Oct. 9 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) 107 Oct. 17 Oct. 19 Report that the Druse uprising is spreading and that the French have insufficient troops to cope with both the Druses and possible general uprisings. To the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Instructions to telegraph recommendations regarding an appeal of Dr. Ward, of the American University at Beirut, for $50,000 for refugees in Hauran; and to comment on press reports that the Druse tribesmen have cut the Damascus-Beirut railway. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Recommendation that the Red Cross send the $50,000 for refugees in Hauran. Information that the Damascus-Beirut railway has not yet been reported cut. Request that the two U. S. destroyers be ready to proceed to Alexandria. Report that two-thirds of Damascus is in the hands of revolutionists; that foreigners have taken refuge in consulates; and that the Damascus-Beirut railway has been cut. To the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Information that the two destroyers have been ordered to Alexandria but can be diverted direct to Beirut if the consul so recommends. Instructions to make recommendations and report on possible relief funds required for U. S. citizens and the native population. 126127-40-vol. II- -2 107 108 108 109 FRANCE PRECAUTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SAFETY OF AMERICANS DURING THE SYRIAN INSURRECTION-Continued Oct. 23 Oct. 23 Oct. 23 Oct. 24 (391) Oct. 26 Oct. 27 Oct. 28 Oct. 29 Opinion that the destroyers are not yet needed at Beirut, but should wait at Alexandria; that no relief funds are required for U. S. citizens. Recommendation that the Red Cross send $15,000 to the American Emergency Relief Committee for immediate relief of 8,000 Christian refugees. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Report that the French have demanded gold and rifles from Damascus by noon October 24, otherwise they will recommence the bombardment of the city. Possibility that arrangements can be made to postpone or prevent the bombardment. Inquiry whether the Department would consider making representations to Paris. To the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Advice that the Department could not appropriately intervene in present situation; desire, however, to protect U. S. citizens. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Report that Syria has guaranteed to pay the fine, and the bombardment has been postponed pending more definite settlement; that refugees are pouring into Beirut; that brigandage is spreading, and uprisings at Beirut and other places are potentially possible. Repetition of inquiry whether Department would consider making representations to Paris. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) Instructions to make immediate and vigorous representations to the Foreign Minister with respect to the protection of U. S. lives and property in Syria. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Request that the Red Cross and the Near East Relief be Arrival of two U. S. destroyers at Alexandria, October 26. Telegram, October 27, from the consul at Damascus (text To the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Authorization to draw on the Department for $2,000 appropriated by the Red Cross for relief of U. S. citizens. Decision reached by Red Cross and Department not to make appropriation for relief of native refugees, since the situation is due primarily to French tactics and the responsibility therefor rests entirely upon the French. 110 110 110 111 111 112 112 113 FRANCE PRECAUTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SAFETY OF AMERICANS DURING THE SYRIAN INSURRECTION-Continued Oct. 30 Oct. 30 (403) Oct. 30 High Commissioner's note assuring the consul that sufficient warning will be given if it should become necessary to bombard Beirut. Report on conditions in Damascus. Opinion that the brigand movement in Damascus is apt to develop into a widespread, organized revolutionary movement. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Concurrence with decision of Department and Red Cross Telegram for repetition to the consul at Beirut for his in- Authorization to communicate request for destroyers direct 114 114 115 Oct. 31 (532) From the Ambassador in France (tel.) 116 Report that General Sarrail has been recalled and that General Duport will act as French High Commissioner pending the appointment of a civilian Commissioner. Nov. 3 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) 116 Report that the destroyers have been requested to arrive on November 5 for moral effect of their presence in possibly preventing an uprising. Nov. 3 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Nov. 4 Nov. 7 French announcement of General Sarrail's instructions to leave for Paris to make verbal explanations. Consul's opinion that France's position is more difficult than at any time since 1919 and her prestige at its lowest ebb. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Telegram from the consul at Damascus, November 3 (text printed), reporting that, with a large rebel force advancing on Damascus, the situation is becoming more serious daily; and expressing fear that naturalized Americans residing in troubled areas may be in danger. To the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Telegram for the consul at Damascus (text printed) advising him to remain at his post only if he can afford consular protection to U. S. citizens without needlessly exposing himself to danger. Instructions to consult with the consul at Damascus as to the propriety of the latter's remaining at his post; also to apply the same considerations to the consul at Aleppo should a critical situation develop there. 116 117 118 FRANCE PRECAUTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SAFETY OF AMERICANS DURING THE SYRIAN INSURRECTION- -Continued Nov. 9 (554) Nov. 13 (561) Nov. 13 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 15 Nov. 15 Nov. 16 Opinion that there will be no uprising at Beirut as long as U. S. destroyers remain in the harbor. Recommendation that they remain until it is certain the French have taken adequate measures for the protection of U. S. citizens and their property. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) Report of the appointment of Senator Henry de Jouvenel, Opinion that the French desire the departure of the U. S. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Telegram from the consul at Damascus, November 11 (text printed), reporting the dangers to which Americans in Damascus and naturalized Americans in interior villages are exposed and the inability of the French to protect the latter; and expressing his desire to remain at his post. Information that the consul at Damascus has been instructed to come to Beirut for further consultation and to bring his family, in view of rumors of a serious attack to be made on Damascus within a few days. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Report on visit to Sidon to investigate and organize relief for naturalized Americans among the refugees driven from the Merjayoun district by the Druse advance into Lebanon; and rumors of efforts being made to persuade other elements to join the revolutionary movement. To the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Transmission of telegram No. 561, November 13, from the Ambassador in France. Request for opinion whether the Lebanon disorders might be encouraged by the departure of the destroyers and whether the lives of Americans might be endangered thereby. Instructions, should the consul approve of the departure of the destroyers. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Opinion that the need for destroyers at Beirut is greater than ever, as the situation is rapidly growing more serious. Request that action be postponed until receipt of telegrams giving details. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Report that the French are arming native Christians as a result of the Druse advance into Lebanon and that this may draw other religious factions into the strife; and opinion that the destroyers should remain until the situation clears. From the Consul at Beirut (tel.) Detailed report on situation and reasons for continued presence of the destroyers. Belief that Italian ships were not sent for political reasons. 119 120 120 121 121 122 122 123 |