701.9111/240a
The Secretary of State to
the Minister in Persia (Philip)
Washington, January 10,
1927.
No. 528
Sir: There is enclosed herewith for your
information a copy of the remarks made on December 7, 1926 by Mirza
Davoud Khan Meftah, the appointed Minister of Persia, upon the
presentation of his letters of credence to the President. A copy of the
President’s reply is likewise transmitted.
You will note that the President in his reply to Mr. Meftah made
particular reference to the services being rendered Persia by the
American Financial Mission and expressed the hope that with the
continued support of the Shah and of the Persian Government, Dr.
Millspaugh and his assistants would be able to render even greater
services in the future.
In case the substance of the President’s remarks regarding Dr. Millspaugh
and his assistants is not generally known in government and court
circles at Teheran you may care to make informal reference thereto in
the course of your conversations with competent Persian officials should
an appropriate opportunity offer itself.
I am [etc.]
For the Secretary of State:
J.
Butler Wright
[Enclosure]
Remarks of the Persian Minister (Meftah), Upon the
Presentation of His Letters of Credence, December 7, 1926, and
the Reply of President Coolidge
Your Excellency: I have the honor to hand
to you the Autograph Letters by which His Imperial Majesty Reza Shah
Pahlavi, my August Sovereign, has been graciously pleased to appoint
me as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Persia to
the United States of America.
The duties thus entrusted to me by my Sovereign and the Persian
Government involve of course the maintenance and further
consolidation of the very cordial relations which have for so long
past happily existed between our two countries.
I need hardly mention how greatly I value and appreciate the high
honor and privilege of being selected by the Persian Government to
discharge the duties of so onerous and important a post as Persian
Minister at Washington.
The real sympathy and friendship which have always been extended to
Persia by your great nation, and which evoked the decision of my
Government to apply to the United States for an American Mission to
supervise and administer the finances of my country, inspire
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me with confidence that my
work here in your beautiful Capital will meet with that success to
which His Imperial Majesty and my Government look forward with keen
anticipation. The task of the American Mission in coordinating and
centralizing the finances of Persia was naturally not an easy one at
the outset, but thanks to the zeal and the efforts of its members—so
typical of such an industrious and hardworking people like the
Americans—considerable progress has already been made; and without
doubt the Persian Government and people can look with confidence to
further progress being made and to the ultimate consolidation of
their most valuable services to Persia, now that the Mission is
better acquainted with the people and conditions of the country.
In conclusion may I add Mr. President, that my constant endeavor
during my period of office at Washington will be to merit and gain
your goodwill, and to draw still closer the bonds of friendship
uniting our two people. I am convinced that in my efforts to
accomplish so worthy an object I shall be honored with your valuable
support and the friendly cooperation of your Government.
The President’s Reply
Mr. Minister: It affords me pleasure to
receive from you the letters whereby His Imperial Majesty, the Shah,
accredits you as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
near the Government of the United States and to accord you
recognition in this high capacity. You may rest assured that the
officials of this Government will gladly cooperate with you in
furthering the cordial relations which have in the past happily
existed between our two countries.
I have noted with satisfaction the references which you have made to
the sympathy and friendship which have always been extended to the
Government and people of Persia by the Government and people of the
United States and which led your Government to apply to the United
States for an American Mission to supervise and administer the
finances of Persia. The success which has thus far attended the
efforts of the American Mission in behalf of Persia is most
gratifying and I hope that, with the continued support of His
Majesty, the Shah, and of your Government, Dr. Millspaugh and his
assistants will be able to render even greater services in the
future. I ask that you convey to your Sovereign and to the Persian
Government and people my sincere wishes for the happiness and
prosperity of your nation. In conclusion let me express the hope
that your stay in Washington may be an agreeable one in every
way.
