856d.6363/512: Telegram
The Chargé in the Netherlands (Norweb) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 24—1:40 p.m.]
8. My telegram No. 7, February 8, 4 p.m. Foreign Office informed me this morning that mail instruction sent yesterday to Van Royen informing him in connection with passage oil bill that before signing Netherlands Government wishes formal statement that our Government now considers Holland reciprocating country under the provisions of general leasing act of 1920.
I understand that such a declaration is desired not only to assure Royal Dutch of favorable consideration in respect of leases in the United States public lands but also to clear the record of the charges of lack of reciprocity on the part of Holland made in the President’s message of May 16, 1921. See my mail despatch No. 1427 of February 18, 1928.