314.115C43/52

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Guatemala (Geissler)

No. 1108

Sir: The Department acknowledges the receipt of your despatches Nos. 1968, June 4, 1928; 1978, June 12, 1928; 1980, June 12, 1928; 1987, June 19, 1928; 2013, July 7, 1928; 2016, July 10, 1928; 2018, July 14, 1928; 2019, July 16, 1928,10 all detailing recent developments in the negotiations for a settlement of the Shufeldt Chicle Development Company controversy.

Should you again be requested to take action on Mr. Shufeldt’s behalf, you may address an informal communication to the Foreign Office, pointing out that your information indicates that the coming into force of the Legislative Bill dated May 22, 1928, by which the Guatemalan Government disapproves of the contract of February 4, 1922, under which Mr. Shufeldt has been extracting chicle from the public lands, effectively deprives this American citizen of the enjoyment of a valuable property right and therefore entitles him to the prompt payment of just compensation.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
W. R. Castle, Jr.
  1. Only despatches No. 2016 and No. 2019 are printed.