811.6363/49

The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War ( Weeks )

My Dear Mr. Secretary: I beg to advert to your letter of April 13, 1921,50 in which you state that you have received a bill amending the Philippine Petroleum Act and that, before submitting the bill to the President for his approval, you would be glad to have any criticisms or suggestions that I may deem appropriate.

As you will recall, the matter was taken up at the meeting of the Cabinet on April 26, 1921, and at a conference on the same day between the Under Secretary of State and the Chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs. It is my understanding that the approval of the President will be withheld and that appropriate steps will be taken to bring about at the next session of the Philippine Legislature in October the further amendment of the Act in order that it may be in conformity with the general leasing law of February 25, 1920. The American Minister at The Hague has been informed that he can state positively that such action will be taken by this Government.

I am [etc.]

Charles E. Hughes
  1. Not printed.