791.003/12: Telegram
The Minister in Persia (Philip) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 10—3:43 p.m.]
26. My 19 of April 27, noon. The following is a translation of a note received from the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, dated today, the 10th instant.
“As you are aware His Imperial Majesty the Shah has willed that consular jurisdiction and privileges enjoyed by foreign subjects in Persia which are commonly interpreted as capitulatory rights be discontinued and abolished. You will of course admit that the great change which has taken place in the conditions of this country as well as in the public opinion necessitate the fulfillment of this design. On the other hand the Persian Government has consistently respected the obligations and commitments which it has willingly and without reluctance and force assumed, and has as far as possible avoided any breach thereof. Under these circumstances and with a view to achieving the sacred royal design which constitutes today the aim and ideal of the Persian Nation, the Government has in mind to renew the existing treaties with the most-favored nations. I, therefore, beg respectfully to inform Your Excellency and announce that by virtue of chapter 8 of the treaty consummated between the Persian Government and the United States Government on December 13th, 1855 [1856],31 my Government terminates same treaty and will be glad if within a period of one year while the existing treaty still holds good and remains effective, your Government would take appropriate measures for the consummation of a new treaty with the Persian Government so that on May 10th, 1928, when the present treaty will become null and void the amicable relations now existing between the two Governments and people should not cease.
I also request Your Excellency to kindly communicate the circumstances to your Government.”
- Malloy, Treaties, 1776–1909, vol. ii, pp. 1371, 1373; British and Foreign State Papers, vol. xlvii, pp. 355, 358.↩