875.6363/56
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Harvey)3
Sir: There is enclosed herewith, for your strictly confidential information, a copy of a letter addressed to the Secretary of Commerce summarizing negotiations of various oil interests for concessionary rights in Albania.2
You will note that, in view of report which the Department has received that the Anglo-Persian Oil Company was endeavoring to secure a monopoly of the Albanian field, the Department instructed Minister Grant-Smith to indicate to the Albanian Government that this Government expected that no action would be taken which would deny the principle of the Open Door as applied to the natural resources of Albania and that equal opportunity should be afforded to American companies with the companies of any other nationality.
Mr. Grant-Smith’s attention was subsequently called to a communication addressed to the American representative in Albania on June 25, 1922 by the Prime Minister indicating that American interests in Albania would receive most-favored-nation treatment and that the Albanian Government was ready to accord facilities to American capital and to give favorable consideration to American concerns.
[Page 381]It is desired that you report briefly, by telegraph or despatch, any information regarding this subject which may come to your attention.
I am [etc.]