value of such part of this property as did not belong to itself or to citizens of the United States, it nevertheless appeals to the magnanimity of the imperial government in behalf of those Paraguayans who had deposited their property at the American legation. The Government of the United States goes further, and submits to the government of Brazil whether the position of this Paraguayan property, on deposit at the legation of the United States, was not analogous to that of an enemy's property on board of a neutral ship at sea, which is exempt from seizure, under a principle understood to be respected by the Brazilian government. As regards the property of the United States, the property of Mr. John A. Duffield, and of Mr. Washburn, for this the Government of the United States will, in any event, expect reparation." (Foreign Relations, 1871, page 46). It is evident from the statements quoted that custody of the articles in question was undertaken in the first instance by Minister Washburn merely as an act of grace. He accepted this trust upon the express understanding that neither the Government of the United States nor himself would be "held accountable for the safe-keeping of the property." It is equally clear that Minister Wright took over the articles in question from the Brazilian Government purely as an act of grace, for the benefit of the owners in Paraguay, and without assuming any greater liability than that which had been assumed by Minister Washburn. In case you turn the box and its contents over to the Paraguayan Government, as suggested above, it will be desirable for you to obtain a receipt specifying the articles, for which purpose it is believed the inventory recently made under the direction of the Minister at Montevideo could be used. Enclosed herewith is a draft of a proposed note to the Paraguayan Foreign Minister concerning this matter.8 I am [etc.] For the Secretary of State: JOSEPH C. GREW 334.334 R 33/8: Telegram The Minister in Paraguay (Kreeck) to the Secretary of State ASUNCIÓN, November 24, 1925—11 a. m. 21. Paraguayan Government accepts jewels to be delivered here. How shall this Legation proceed? 'Not printed. KREECK 334.334 R 33/8: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Paraguay (Kreeck) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, November 30, 1925-8 p. m. 13. Legation's telegram No. 21 dated November 24. You are instructed to proceed as follows: In the presence of a Paraguayan notary, have inventory and photographs of contents of box made by the Minister in Uruguay examined, checked, and verified by your Legation and Paraguayan officials jointly and concurrently. In the presence of witnesses, deliver the box to the Paraguayan official duly authorized to receive it. Secure an appropriate and comprehensive receipt which will contain a copy of the inventory and photographs of the box and its contents. I am telegraphing the Legation in Uruguay' for suggestions as to the safest way to transport box to Asunción. Please inform Department if you have any suggestions. KELLOGG 334.334 R 33/21 The Minister in Paraguay (Kreeck) to the Secretary of State No. 58 ASUNCIÓN, March 22, 1926. SIR: I have the honor to report that the Paraguayan jewels have been delivered to the Paraguayan Government, receipt for the same being attached hereto. It is my opinion that this much negotiated incident is now a closed bit of history, for the Paraguayan Government as well as for ourselves, because, it is almost certain that no one can present a Washburn receipt or document substantiating their rightful claim. The jewels were received from Montevideo as reported in my former despatch, No. 44 of February 18, 1926.10 Upon their arrival they were placed in the depository of the Legation under lock, and the premises were guarded by Police placed here by the Government. Before the departure of Mr. Hofer, Secretary of Legation at Montevideo, and the individual who had been present at the opening of the box upon a former occasion, making an inventory thereof, the box was again opened in the presence of the duly authorized and qualified agents of the Paraguayan Government, who prepared an inventory in 10 Telegraphic instruction No. 19, Nov. 30, 1925; not printed. Not printed. their own language (copy and translation of which are attached)11 and which corresponded exactly with the inventory made at Montevideo. The box was sealed in the presence of the Paraguayan officials, bearing this time the seals of Paraguay and the United States, and placed in the depository awaiting the date of its acceptance by the Paraguayan Government. As reported in my former communication, the Minister of Foreign Affairs requested that the same be retained by the Legation until after his return to Asunción. This was done and upon his return and at the request of the Paraguayan Foreign Office the box was then again opened at the Legation in order that an appraisement might be made while under the Legation charge, to withstand or forestall any criticism or insinuation that the items were otherwise than as reported in the inventories or that substitutions thereto had been made by the Paraguayans after delivery by this Legation. This request was granted and the official governmental appraisers called, and, in the presence of the Minister and Sub-Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the official notary of the Paraguayan Government, the appraisement was made (copy and translation of which are also attached)." The box was again closed and sealed as before mentioned and placed in the depository awaiting delivery to the Government. This came about within two days following, the acceptance taking place today by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the receipts signed which are attached to this communication.11 It is the intention of the Paraguayan authorities to place the jewels within the Oficina de Cambio for the present and perhaps later, if receipts cannot be presented for the articles, to remain a part of the Museum as the memorials of the War. Thus closes the chapter of the long negotiations. 11 GEO. L. KREECK 126127-40—vol. II—48 PERSIA CHANGE OF DYNASTY IN PERSIA AND RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED STATES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF REZA SHAH PAHLAVI 891.00/1368: Telegram The Chargé in Persia (Amory) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] TEHERAN, October 30, 1925-10 p. m. [Received October 30-4:57 p. m.] 75. Demonstrations against Kajar dynasty, which have appearance of spontaneity . . . have become more wide and frequent. . . . Course of events may make more difficult position of the American financial advisers. 891.01/22 Telegram AMORY The Chargé in Persia (Amory) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] TEHERAN, October 31, 1925-2 p. m. [Received October 31-1:30 p. m.] 76. It is probable that Prime Minister will be at once proclaimed Shah, or else that a Constituent Assembly will be called. . . . The movement has fair chance to succeed since the opposition lacks unity and leadership. Communication from Chamberlain1 transmitted through British Minister to Persian Foreign Office affirms the complete disinterestedness of Great Britain in present critical circumstances. . . . Recently appointed Ambassador from Turkey, travelling through Caucasus, delays arrival pending outcome of crisis. Until situation clears up Department may wish to detain American Minister at Beirut. AMORY 'J. Austen Chamberlain, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. 676 891.01/23: Telegram The Chargé in Persia (Amory) to the Secretary of State TEHERAN, October 31, 1925-midnight. [Received October 31-7:26 p. m.] 77. Medjlis passed following law this afternoon: 80 in favor, 5 against, 30 absent. "In the name of the welfare of the people the National Consultative Assembly declares the abolition of the Kajar Sovereignty and within the limits of the Constitution and other laws entrust Provisional Government to the person of Mr. Reza Khan Pahlavi. The determining of the form of the permanent government shall be made by a constituent assembly which shall for this purpose amend articles 36, 37, 38 and 40 of the supplement to the Constitutional Law." See despatch No. 821, December 31, 1924.2 Minority contend that procedure illegal [because: (1) The] deputies swore allegiance to Sovereign; (2) Constitution provides that sovereignty vested in Kajar dynasty; (3) only deliberate genuine popular referendum can authorize constitutional change. Majority contend that recent telegrams from provinces to Medjlis demanding abolition of Kajar dynasty constitute mandate and cite precedent of constitutional change in the electoral machinery by the Medjlis in 1909 as a result of telegrams from provincial groups. City illuminated this evening and quiet. AMORY 891.01/25 Telegram The Chargé in Persia (Amory) to the Secretary of State TEHERAN, November 2, 1925-11 p. m. 2b 79. At meeting this afternoon attended by every diplomatic chief of mission it was unanimously agreed to send Hassan Moshar,2a as act of courtesy, brief individual acknowledgments, strictly personal and unofficial in form, of his communication 26 reported in my cable number 79 [78] of November 1st,2 stating its contents had been communicated to respective governments for instructions. It is expected Provisional Government will be constituted definitively very shortly; one hears that Constituent Assembly will be convoked within a few weeks. Normal conditions prevail. 'Notifying the several Governments of the action of the National Consultative Assembly of October 31, previously reported to the Department in telegram No. 77, supra. |