DISCONTINUANCE OF THE REPRESENTATION OF AMERICAN INTERESTS IN TURKEY BY SWEDISH DIPLOMATIC OFFICERS 703.5867/83: Telegram The High Commissioner in Turkey (Bristol) to the Secretary of State CONSTANTINOPLE, January 12, 1925—11 a. m. [Received January 12-10:50 a. m.] 5. Swedish Minister has informed me that his Government desires to discontinue the official representation of the United States in Turkey. Before writing me officially he desires assurance of a favorable reply. As such representation has for long been a fiction and as the Swedish Minister, like myself, has not yet presented letters to the President of the Republic I recommend that I be authorized to exchange notes with him as indicated. BRISTOL 703.5867/85 The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Sweden (Magruder) No. 134 WASHINGTON, June 24, 1925. SIR: The Department's No. 102 of January 31, 1925,5 informed you of the desire of the Swedish Government, as made known by the American High Commissioner at Constantinople, to discontinue the protection it has been affording to American interests in Turkey. It is now desired that you address the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the following sense: At the request of the Government of the United States the Government of Sweden kindly consented to permit its officers in Turkey to act in representation of American interests in that country. In the view of the Government of the United States the need for such representation no longer exists. I am therefore directed by my Government to request that instructions may be issued to the Minister of Sweden at Constantinople to discontinue such representation and to turn over to the American High Commissioner any records or other property of the United States that may be in his charge. At the same time it is desired that I convey to you, as I do with much pleasure, the expression of the profound thanks of the Government of the United States and of its very high appreciation for the friendly courtesy of the Government of Sweden. The Government of the United States has been impressed with the intelligence, efficiency and faithful care with which American interests have been looked after by Swedish officials at Constantinople, and The Swedish Legation took official charge of American interests in Turkey on Apr. 26, 1917. See Foreign Relations, 1917, supp. 1, pp. 598 ff. "Not printed. would be obliged if, through your intermediacy, there could be made known to all such, and especially to Mr. d'Anckersvard, Mr. G. O. Wallenberg, Colonel G. Ahlgren, Dr. Kolmodin, and Mr. Karl Mohn, its sense of obligation to them and its high appreciation of their whole hearted service in its behalf. I am [etc.] 703.5867/86 FRANK B. KELLOGG The Chargé in Sweden (Magruder) to the Secretary of State No. 528 STOCKHOLM, July 20, 1925. SIR: With reference to the Department's instruction No. 134 of June 24, 1925 (File No. 703.5867/85), respecting the discontinuance of the representation of American interests in Turkey by the Swedish Government, I have the honor to report that I am in receipt of a note from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, a copy and translation of which are herewith enclosed,' to the effect that the Swedish Minister at Constantinople has been instructed to discontinue such representation and to turn over to the American High Commissioner any records and other property of the United States that may be in his charge. I have [etc.] 703.5867/87 ALEXANDER R. MAGRUDER "Procès-Verbal" for the Transfer of American Embassy and Consular Property in Turkey From the Swedish Legation to the American High Commission WHEREAS the Swedish Legation during certain periods has had in custody the archives, journals, books, registers and inventories of various kinds of the American Embassy and Consulate General, and has signed cheques and made payments to various functionaries at the Embassy and Consulate General and has transacted money matters for the account of the American Government, its Representatives and nationals. NOW AND THEREFORE, all the said archives, journals, books, registers and inventories which during the tenor [tenure] of office of Mr. Wallenberg and his predecessor, Mr. Anckersvard, were always kept by an American official engaged to assist the Swedish Legation, having been delivered over to the American High Commission at Con 'Mr. d'Anckersvärd and Mr. Wallenberg were successively the Swedish Ministers in Turkey; Col. Ahlgren, Counselor of Legation; Dr. Kolmodin, Secretary; and Mr. Mohn, Clerk. 'Not printed. Copy transmitted by U. S. High Commissioner Mark L. Bristol under covering letter of July 17, 1925; received August 18. stantinople, and all money matters transacted for American account having been found to be in perfect order, Admiral Bristol declares on behalf of his Government and for himself that he has found everything in perfect order and he hereby gives full discharge to the respective functionaries of the Swedish Legation for all and every transaction made by them in connection with their charge of American interests: Signed and delivered in two copies whereof each of the parties have kept one. CONSTANTINOPLE, July 16, 1925. MARK L. BRISTOL Signed at the Swedish Legation at Constantinople July 18th 1925 G. O. WALLENBERG SWITZERLAND COMPLAINT BY SWITZERLAND AGAINST ACTIVITIES OF AMERICAN CUSTOMS REPRESENTATIVES IN THAT COUNTRY1 102.102/359: Telegram The Minister in Switzerland (Gibson) to the Secretary of State BERNE, October 29, 1924-2 p. m. 112. Federal Councilor Schulthess informs me that he is in receipt of numerous complaints as to [activities] of Treasury representatives in Switzerland to the effect that in the course of their investigations they demand information as to production costs, loan contracts and trade and manufacturing secrets; that they further demand opportunity to verify these facts by examination of company's books under threat of preventing importation to the United States; that in some cases, notably Sandoz and Company of Basel, chemical manufacturers, such import rights have been refused. Mr. Schulthess stated that Federal Council considered the matter as a flagrant violation of Swiss sovereignty which could not be tolerated and requested that suitable inquiry be made. I have not brought these complaints to the attention of the Treasury officials but have endeavored to secure copies of their instructions without success although they were promised prior to this date. I have told Mr. Schulthess that there is undoubtedly a misunderstanding either on the part of Swiss manufacturers or of our Treasury representatives but that I am referring his complaint to the Department in order that an investigation may be made as soon as possible. GIBSON 102.102/362: Telegram The Chargé in Switzerland (Boal) to the Secretary of State BERNE, November 28, 1924-5 p. m. [Received November 28-4:22 p. m.] 120. Legation's 112, October 20 [29], 2 p. m. In a letter received today Mr. Schulthess states that since his conversation with 1 For related correspondence, see section entitled "Unsuccessful Efforts To Have American Customs Attachés Accorded Diplomatic Status," vol. 1, pp. 211 ff. the Minister, Durant and Huguenin of Basel have been threatened by Treasury officials with stoppage of their imports into America if they do not immediately consent to examination of their books. Schulthess states this firm has been reserving its reply only pending outcome of his complaint reported in telegram 112. He requests that I ask Treasury representative, Zürich, to cause any American customs measures arising from such refusals to be held in abeyance pending final reply to his objections. I have advised Treasury representative of this communication. I should appreciate telegraphic expression of Department's views for guidance in replying to Schulthess. BOAL 102.102/362: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Gibson) WASHINGTON, December 10, 1924—4 p. m. 99. Your 120, November 28, 5 p. m. Whole question of activities of customs representatives abroad is receiving most careful consideration of this Department and of the Treasury. It is hoped that general instructions outlining a procedure governing customs representatives' activities in foreign countries can be issued shortly. Details have not yet been fully agreed upon but procedure will be designed to meet objections raised by Swiss Government. Swiss Minister in recent visit to the Department on this subject was informed as above. You may communicate substance of above to Swiss Government stating that a fuller communication will be transmitted at the earliest possible moment. HUGHES 102.102/375: Telegram The Minister in Switzerland (Gibson) to the Secretary of State BERNE, February 17, 1925-5 p. m. 15. Legation's 120, November 28, 5 p. m. and Department's 99, December 10, 4 p. m. Letter received today from George R. Coxe, assistant customs representative at Zürich, is signed as "assistant customs attaché" on stationery bearing similar letterhead. In reply to my inquiry by telephone Coxe informs me that a law was recently enacted by Congress creating customs representatives throughout Europe as attachés to our diplomatic missions. I informed Coxe that we had not been so notified by the Department and requested him to refrain from using this title pending accomplishment of customary formal |