857h.01/64
The French Chargé (Sartiges) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary of State: In a letter dated October 20, last,29 Your Excellency was pleased to inform the Embassy that all due attention had been given by the Department of State to the communications from the French Embassy concerning the adherence of the American [Russian] Government to the Spitzbergen Treaty and that an early answer might be expected from the Department of State on that point.
My Government has just reminded me once more of the urgency of the case and I have the honor to bring it again to Your Excellency’s attention while venturing to remark that it was upon the informal request of the Federal Government that the term “political organization” as designating Russia was accepted by my Government and that the Department of State was so advised by the Embassy’s note of August 17 last. No further objection having been offered since then, the French Government is at a loss to understand why it has received no communication from the American Government on the question and I should be very thankful to Your Excellency if you would kindly enable me to send a reply as early as you may find it possible.
Be pleased [etc.]