711.90H/30: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Straus) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 14—4:22 p.m.]
129. After considerable delay, the Afghan Minister called yesterday stating that he had submitted the matter of an accord to his Government which preferred a formal treaty. I pointed out that the ratification of a treaty was a matter that would consume considerable time and that I had assumed his interest was to establish provisional relations before the setting up of a legation in Kabul after which time the question of more formal relations could be studied.
In my opinion, this counter-proposal need not be taken very seriously as the Afghan Minister Shah Wali immediately said that if it was my opinion that such a procedure would result in too great delay he would in all probability be prepared to sign the accord as originally proposed.
[Page 560]Unless otherwise instructed, I shall proceed at the earliest opportunity to obtain his signature to the accord forwarded with the Department’s instruction No. 692, January 2d, 1935, for which he has full powers.