The arrangements proposed by His Majesty's Government would not denote any departure from the principle of the diplomatic unity of the Empire. The Irish Minister would be at all times in the closest touch with His Majesty's Ambassador and any question which may arise as to whether a matter comes within the category of those to be handled by the Irish Minister or not would be settled by consultation between them. In matters falling within his sphere the Irish Minister would not be subject to the control of His Majesty's Ambassador nor would His Majesty's Ambassador be responsible for the Irish Minister's actions. In communicating to you these proposals, which His Majesty's Government trust will promote the maintenance and development of cordial relations between the British Empire and the United States, I have been instructed to express the hope that the United States Government will concur in the appointment of an Irish Free State Minister at Washington on the footing I have indicated above. As regards questions such as the precedence to be attributed to the Irish Minister or any other points which the United States Government may desire to raise in connection with the appointment, His Majesty's Government will await the views of the United States Government. I have [etc.] ESME HOWARD 701.4111/487 The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Howard) WASHINGTON, June 28, 1924. EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note Number 564 of June 24, 1924, by which, under instructions from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, you inform me of the conclusion which His Majesty's Government has reached that it is desirable that the handling of matters at Washington exclusively relating to the Irish Free State should be confided to a Minister Plenipotentiary accredited by His Majesty The King with credentials which would enable him to take charge of all affairs relating only to the Irish Free State. Responding to the hope which you express on behalf of Your Government that the Government of the United States will concur in the appointment of an Irish Free State Minister at Washington in conformity with the proposals of His Majesty's Government as set out in your note, I have the honor and the pleasure to inform you that the President, always happy to meet the wish of His Majesty's Government in every proper way, will be pleased to receive a duly accredited Minister Plenipotentiary of the Irish Free State, on the footing you indicate."2 Accept [etc.] CHARLES E. HUGHES APPLICATION TO THE IRISH FREE STATE OF THE PROPERTY CONVENTION OF MARCH 2, 1899, BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN 811.5241 d/7 The Ambassador in Great Britain (Kellogg) to the Secretary of State No. 1019 78 LONDON, January 26, 1925. SIR: Referring to the Department's instruction No. 414 dated October 31, 1924, I have the honor to enclose copies, in triplicate, of a note dated November 17, 1924, which the Embassy addressed to the Foreign Office, and the latter's reply dated December 12, 1924, concerning the application to the Irish Free State of the provisions of the Property Convention concluded between the United States and Great Britain on March 2, 1899.74 I am informed by the Foreign Office that His Majesty's Government have no objection to the publication of this exchange of notes. I have [etc.] The American Ambassador (Kellogg) to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Chamberlain) No. 568 LONDON, November 17, 1924. SIR: Under instructions of my Government I have the honor to enquire whether, as a result of the creation of the Irish Free State, the British Government consider that the provisions of the Property Convention of March 2, 1899, are still binding on Ireland without notice, as provided for by Article 4, Paragraph 1.7 I have [etc.] FRANK B. KELLOGG 72 Timothy A. Smiddy presented his credentials as Minister to the President on Oct. 7, 1924. 73 Not printed. 74 Malloy, Treaties, 1776-1909, vol. I, p. 774. TB The paragraph reads: "The stipulations of the present Convention shall not be applicable to any of the Colonies or foreign possessions of Her Britannic Majesty unless notice to that effect shall have been given, on behalf of any such Colony or foreign possession by Her Britannic Majesty's Representative at Washington to the United States Secretary of State, within one year from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of the present Convention." [Enclosure 2] The British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Chamberlain) to the American Ambassador (Kellogg) No. A6753/984/45 [LONDON,] 12th December, 1924. YOUR EXCELLENCY, With reference to Your Excellency's note of November 17th, I have the honour to inform you that the establishment of the Irish Free State is not regarded as affecting the position in connection with the applicability to Ireland of the convention of the 2nd March, 1899, relative to the disposal of real and personal property. I have [etc.] (For the Secretary of State) SETTLEMENT OF THE DISPUTE WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT REGARDING WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION OF AMERICAN CONSULAR OFFICERS AT NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE" 125.655/122: Telegram The Ambassador in Great Britain (Kellogg) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] LONDON, March 26, 1924-noon. 102. Embassy was told informally and confidentially yesterday by the Foreign Office that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs had agreed to have the Newcastle case settled on the lines which the Department had suggested, that the appointment of Brooks as vice consul at Belfast would be acceptable to the British Government, and that the Foreign Office had instructed the British Embassy at Washington to inquire whether you wished to have the notes exchanged at London or Washington. KELLOGG 125.655/122: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Kellogg) WASHINGTON, March 27, 1924—5 p. m. 74. Your 102, March 26, noon. The Department is gratified to learn that there is good prospect of settling the Newcastle case along lines previously agreed on. TG For previous correspondence concerning withdrawal of recognition of American consular officers at Newcastle-on-Tyne, see Foreign Relations, 1923, vol. II, pp. 306 fr. I wrote you letter March 25, in answer to your letter February 27, regarding the case." My letter was sent by pouch yesterday and reiterates Department's position in the matter. In discussing the case you should reiterate understanding already reached which has been fully covered in previous telegrams and instructions. (1) Publication of the notes shall immediately follow the exchange. It is the opinion of the Department that this exchange should occur in London, but that publication should be simultaneous in London and in Washington. (2) That at the time of publication the Department will also announce that the British Government has agreed that Slater and Brooks may be assigned to posts within the British Empire and will shortly be sent to such posts. (3) That the British Government agrees to issue the necessary exequatur and recognition to Slater and Brooks when they are sent to Fort William and Port Arthur and to Belfast, respectively. I have today had a conversation with the British Ambassador on this subject and have read to him the text of this instruction. HUGHES 125.655/124: Telegram The Ambassador in Great Britain (Kellogg) to the Secretary of State LONDON, March 31, 1924-6 p. m. 112. The following exchange of notes has been made today. "His Excellency the Honorable Frank B. Kellogg. Your Excellency: I have the honor to inform you that after further consideration His Majesty's Government are prepared not to insist upon the charge of exceeding their consular authority laid about a year and a half ago against the then American consul and vice consul at Newcastle-on-Tyne and it has therefore been recalled. I have the honor to be with the highest consideration Your Excellency's obedient servant. (Signed) J. Ramsay MacDonald.” "The Right Honorable J. Ramsay MacDonald. Sir: I am instructed to inform you that it is the intention of my Government to reopen the consulate at Newcastle-on-Tyne and I have the honor to state that Mr. Charles Roy Nasmith has been appointed as consul of the United States at that port. I beg therefore to request you to be good enough to take the steps necessary for his recognition in that capacity in case the appointment be found agreeable to His Majesty's Government. I have the honor to be with the highest consideration, Sir, your most obedient humble servant. (Signed) Frank B. Kellogg.' "Neither printed. While the above notes signed by me and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have been exchanged they are undated to be held in abeyance and not put on record until you signify your approval when the dates will be inserted. I am also addressing the Minister for Foreign Affairs the following note: "The Right Honorable J. Ramsay MacDonald. Sir: I have the honor to refer to the exchange and simultaneous publication of the notes between ourselves wherein the charge against the American consul and vice consul at Newcastle-on-Tyne which was brought about a year and a half ago has been recalled and the appointment of Mr. Charles Roy Nasmith as American consul at that port was made known to you together with the request that he be recognized in that capacity. In this connection I desire to state, confirming my conversation of this morning with Sir Eyre Crowe, that the Department of State at Washington will announce at the time of the publication of the notes that the British Government has agreed that Messrs. Slater and Brooks formerly consul and vice consul at Newcastle-on-Tyne may be assigned to posts within the British Empire and will shortly be sent to such posts. Confirming also the conversation above referred to, it is my understanding that the notes shall be released simultaneously in London and Washington for publication in the morning newspapers of April 3d, 1924. I have the honor to be with the highest consideration, Sir, your most obedient humble servant. (Signed) Frank B. Kellogg." And I have received the following note from the Foreign Office. "March 31st, 1924. Immediate and confidential. Your Excellency. With reference to Your Excellency's note number 125 of today's date I have the honor to inform you that I shall be happy to take steps with a view to the issue of the King's exequatur to Mr. Slater as United States consul at Fort William and Port Arthur, Canada, and to the formal recognition of Mr. Brooks as United States vice consul at Belfast so soon as Your Excellency has put forward the necessary request to this Department. (Signed) For the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. G. R. Warner." If the notes quoted above and the memorandum contained therein are satisfactory please send me your approval immediately. KELLOGG 125.655/124: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Kellogg) WASHINGTON, April 1, 1924—1 p. m. 81. Your 112, March 31, 6 p. m. Department approves of text of Notes to be exchanged. It is suggested that Notes be dated April 2, 1924 and that they be released for publication in the morning newspapers of April 3rd. |