No. 602.
Mr. Schuyler to Mr. Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Bucharest, September 22,
1881. (Received October 14.)
No. 86.]
Sir: Some time since a decree was made by the
council of ministers prohibiting the importation of pork from the United
States, England, Turkey, and Russia. The reasons given for this decree were
that as American pork had been prohibited by France, Germany, Austria, and
several other countries, on the ground of being unwholesome and containing
trichinae, it was not for the advantage of the Roumanian commerce in swine
to allow the importation of American pork into Roumania, either directly or
indirectly. I subsequently called the attention of the government to this
subject, and asked whether it would not be possible to remove the
prohibition. The government promised to take the matter into consideration
and to see whether the reasons still existed for the decree. I now have
cause for believing that the decision in the matter depends entirely upon
the action taken by Austria Hungary. If the prohibition should be removed by
that government, it would probably be removed here. The exportation of live
animals is an important branch of Roumanian trade, and it is thought here
that the Government of Austria-Hungary is always ready to take advantage of
any pretext for enforcing with the utmost rigidity their veterinary
regulations, and prohibiting the exportation of Roumanian swine and other
animals. I inclose herewith a translation of the decree in question.
In any case the importation of American pork into Roumania is of very little
consequence. None has been imported directly, and as Belgium is not one of
the countries from which the importation is forbidden it could be imported
in that way.
The English chargé d’affaires has made unofficial representations on the same
subject, which have thus far been without result.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in No.
86.—Translation.]
Report of the minister of the interior to the
King.
Approved.—Carol.
Sire: The accompanying minute of the council of
ministers, No. 1, by which, for the motives set forth in it, it is
decided to forbid the importation into Roumania of pork and of
alimentary preparations, in which enter the flesh, blood, lard, or
entrails of swine coming from America, England, Turkey, or Russia, the
undersigned with the most profound respect submits in the original, and
begs Your Majesty to give it your high approval.
I am, with the most profound respect, sire, of Your Majesty the most
humble and obedient servant,
The minister secretary of state for the department of the interior:
[Page 990]
Council of Ministers.
minutes.
At its session to-day, Wednesday, April 22, 1881, taking into
consideration the report of the minister of the interior, No. 1725;
Having in view the note of our legation at Rome, No. 59, in which it is
shown that France and Italy have prohibited the importation of pork from
America, for the reason that American pork has been shown to contain
triehinsæ;
Considering that in Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, and Greece the
importation of American pork is no longer permitted;
Considering that it is impossible to examine microscopically every
article of food imported from abroad, containing the flesh or other
parts of swine;
Considering that such American pork, the importation of which is
forbidden in the countries above mentioned, may be introduced into
Roumania, directly as well as indirectly, and thus endanger the lives of
the consumers of such pork, as well as influence in an unfavorable way
our export commerce in swine and their products, thus discrediting with
our rivals the commerce of Roumania in swine, which has begun to take a
great development;
Having in view the opinion given by the superior medical council in its
minute, No. 178, in the present case:
The council of ministers, admitting the opinion of the said medical
council expressed in the minute cited, resolves to prohibit the
importation into Roumania of pork and of all alimentary preparations
into which the flesh, blood, lard, or intestines of pork enter, coming
from America, England, Turkey, or Russia.
The disposition of the present minute will be carried out by the minister
of the interior, after being approved by His Majesty the King.
- D. BRATIANO.
- Genesal SLANICEANO.
- EUG. STATESCO.
- Colonel DABIJA.
- M. PHERYKIDE.
- V. A. UERCHIA.
