611.1431/117
The Chargé in Guatemala (O’Donoghue) to the Secretary of State
No. 707
Guatemala, July 9, 1935.
[Received July
15.]
Sir: Supplementing my telegram No. 34, July 8,
5 p.m., with reference to my visit to the Foreign Office in connection
with the reopening of conversations regarding the Trade Agreement, I
have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the Memorandum dated July
8, which I left with the Foreign Minister. After reading the Memorandum,
Dr. Skinner Klée expressed optimism as to the eventual
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outcome of the negotiations along the
lines now suggested by the Department and added that he would make
immediate arrangements for Consul General Marsh and me to confer with
the Minister of Hacienda and the Director General of Customs in the
premises. He added however that Guatemala would have to have assurances
that no duty would be placed on its exports to the United States which
are now on the free list and that no quotas with regard to Guatemalan
products would be established during the life of the agreement.
The Foreign Minister in conclusion reiterated the desire of Guatemala to
conclude a trade agreement with the United States so as to lend its
moral support to the Trade Agreements Program.
Before going to the Foreign Office to present the original of the
enclosure, I had discussed the matter thoroughly with Consul General
Marsh who was in agreement as to the procedure to be followed. I may add
that Mr. Marsh also is inclined to optimism as to the conclusion of a
trade agreement, but that neither he nor I expect any great tariff
concessions to be granted.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure]
The American Legation
to the Guatemalan Ministry for Foreign
Affairs
Memorandum
The Legation of the United States of America has the honor to refer
to the Memorandum No. 5191 [5181] of April
29, 1935, from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, with
which was transmitted a copy of a communication, No. 6184 of April
24, 1935, from the Ministry of Hacienda and Public Credit together
with the enclosures thereto, these latter being the studies made by
the competent authorities in the General Bureaus of Customs and
Public Health relative to the proposed Trade Agreement between the
United States of America and Guatemala. Reference is also made to
conversations on this subject which the American Minister, Mr.
Matthew E. Hanna, had the honor of having with His Excellency the
Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The Memorandum from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, above referred
to, together with its enclosures, were transmitted by the Legation
to the Department of State for consideration and study. As a result
thereof the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim has now been instructed to
reopen conversations with the Government of Guatemala,
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it being understood that
he will be negotiating on an ad referendum
basis, in order to conclude, as expeditiously as possible, a Trade
Agreement between the United States of America and Guatemala which
should redound to the best interests of both countries and be
mutually advantageous.
It would therefore be greatly appreciated by the Legation if the
Ministry for Foreign Affairs could find it possible to request the
competent authorities of the Government of Guatemala once again to
make a study of the question of the Trade Agreement and to inform
the Legation, for reference to its Government, if it would be
possible to conclude a satisfactory Trade Agreement consisting of
the general provisions thereof, the draft of which was transmitted
to the Minister for Foreign Affairs with the Legation’s Memorandum
of Febuary 26, 1935, together with certain reductions in duty on
items of import to be agreed upon as well as with assurances that
the existing rates of duty on the more important imports from the
United States to Guatemala will not be raised during the life of the
agreement.
In transmitting the foregoing to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs the
Legation ventures to point out that the far reaching benefits to be
derived from the ultimate success of the Trade Agreements Program of
the United States, in accomplishing its broader aims with respect to
world trade is one which is highly desirable. It is therefore
earnestly hoped that the wish of the Government of the United States
to conclude a Trade Agreement at an early date with the Government
of Guatemala may be realized.
