FINLAND

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FINLAND FOR MUTUAL UNCON

DITIONAL Most-FAVORED-NATION TREATMENT IN Customs MATTERS, SIGNED May 2, 1925—Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

88

91

94

96

1924 Oct. 30 Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State

Draft note presented by the Finnish Minister (text printed)

enlarging the scope of the agreement. 1925 Undated to the Finnish Legation

Insistence upon confining the exchange of notes to the sub

ject of commerce. May 2 To the Finnish Minister

Statement of understanding with reference to mutual unconditional most-favored-nation treatment to be accorded in

customs matters. May 2 From the Finnish Minister

Statement of understanding with reference to mutual unconditional most-favored-nation treatment to be accorded in

customs matters.
Nov. 30 To the Minister in Finland (tel.)
(28) 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.
Dec. 2 From the Minister in Finland (tel.)
(46) Foreign Office note, November 25 (text printed), conveying

assurance regarding the treatment of U. S. imports from

November 27 onward. Dec. 24 From the Finnish Minister

Notification that necessary legislative measures have been completed and that the agreement has been made effective in all its parts in Finland.

98

98

99

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FINLAND RESPECTING TONNAGE

DUES AND OTHER CHARGES, SIGNED DECEMBER 21, 1925

1925 Apr. 30

99

Dec. 17

101

To the Finnish Minister

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.
Memorandum by Mr. Wallace M. McClure, of the Office of the

Economic Adviser
Record of certain provisions inserted in the draft note at the
request of the Finnish Minister.
To the Finnish Minister

Statement of understanding with respect to tonnage dues
and other charges.
From the Finnish Minister

Statement of understanding with respect to tonnage dues
and other charges.

Dec. 21

101

Dec. 21

103 FINLAND

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FINLAND RESPECTING TONNAGE

DUES AND OTHER CHARGES, SIGNED DECEMBER 21, 1925—Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1926 Jan. 30

104

From the Finnish Minister

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

105

106

106

107

1925 Aug. 7 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. Aug. 10 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 neces

sary.
Aug. 11 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

Opinion that it is not yet necessary or advisable to send
U. S. destroyers to Beirut. Report on the unsuccessful mili-

tary measures of the French. Oct. 9 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

Report that the Druse uprising is spreading and that the
French have insufficient troops to cope with both the Druses

and possible general uprisings. Oct. 17 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. Oct. 19 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. Oct. 19 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

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. Oct. 20 To the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

107

108

108

109 FRANCE

PRECAUTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SAFETY OF AMERICANS DURING

THE SYRIAN INSURRECTION—Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1925 Oct. 21

109

Oct. 23

110

Oct. 23

110

Oct. 23

110

From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

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 rep-
resentations to Paris.
To the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

Advice that the Department could not appropriately inter-
vene 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; at refugees are pouring into Beirut; that brigand-
age is spreading, and uprisings at Beirut and other places are
potentially possible. Repetition of inquiry whether Depart-
ment would consider making representations to Paris.
To the Ambassador in France (tel.)

Instructions to make immediate and vigorous representa-
tions 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
informed of the dire distress of 12,000 Armenian refugees at
Damascus. Repetition of recommendation that the Red
Cross send $50,000 immediately and possibly more later.
To the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

Arrival of two U. S. destroyers at Alexandria, October 26.
From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

Telegram, October 27, from the consul at Damascus (text
printed) reporting increase in French fines; pessimism for
future unless forces increased and policy changed. Note sent
to French High Commissioner (text printed) requesting that
sufficient warning be given if it should become necessary to
bombard Beirut.
To the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

Authorization to draw on the Department for $2,000 ap-
propriated by the Red Cross for relief of U. S. citizens. De-
cision reached by Red Cross and Department not to make ap-
propriation for relief of native refugees, since the situation is
due primarily to French tactics and the responsibility therefor
rests entirely upon the French,

Oct. 24

(391)

111

Oct. 26

111

Oct. 27

112

Oct. 28

112

Oct. 29

113 FRANCE

PRECAUTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SAFETY OF AMERICANS DURING

THE SYRIAN INSURRECTION—Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

114

114

114

11

1925 Oct. 29 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

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. Oct. 30 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

Concurrence with decision of Department and Red Cross concerning relief of refugee natives. Suggestion that the Near

East Relief be advised of the Department's views in the matter.
Oct. 30 To the Ambassador in France (tel.)
(403) Telegram for repetition to the consul at Beirut for his in-

formation and for the consul at Damascus (text printed),
quoting a Paris press report that the U. S. Embassy has fur-
nished the French Government with more information con-
cerning Syria than the Government has received from Gen-
eral Sarrail himself; and authorizing the consul at Damascus
to repeat to Paris any further telegrams which might be of

assistance should further representations be necessary. Oct. 30 To the Consul at Beirut (tel.

Authorization to communicate request for destroyers direct to consul at Alexandria. Instructions to keep the consul at Damascus fully advised and to make available to him any part of the $2,000 needed in the Damascus district. Approval of reports and action taken by him and the consul at

Damascus. Oct. 31 From the Ambassador in France (tel.) (532) Report that General Sarrail has been recalled and that Gen

eral Duport will act as French High Commissioner pending the

appointment of a civilian Commissioner. Nov. 3 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

Report that the destroyers have been requested to arrive on
November 5 for moral effect of their presence in possibly pre-

venting an uprising.
Nov. 3 From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

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. Nov. 4 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. Nov. 7

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

116

116

117

118 XX

FRANCE
PRECAUTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SAFETY OF AMERICANS DURING

THE SYRIAN INSURRECTION—Continued

Date and
number

1925 Nov. 7

118

Nov. 9

(554)

119

Nov. 13

(561)

120

Nov. 13

120

Nov. 13

From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

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,
editor of Le Matin, as High Commissioner in Syria.
From the Ambassador in France (tel.)

Opinion that the French desire the departure of the U. S.
destroyers at Beirut, since presence of destroyers has served as a
pretext for Italy to send ships possibly for political reasons and
since their departure would coincide with the arrival of the new
French High Commissioner. Suggestion that the destroyers
be withdrawn to some port in Palestine or Cyprus until the
situation clears.
From the Consul at Beirut (tel.)

Telegram from the consul at Damascus, November 11 (text
printed), reporting the dangers to which Americans in Damas-
cus 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.

121

Nov. 14

121

Nov. 15

122

Nov. 15

122

Nov. 16

123