[Inclosure in No.
282.]
Mr. Buck to Mr. Eliaa.
Legation of the United
States,
Lima, August 27,
1887.
No. 55.]
Sir: Under an act of Congress
approved Juno 19, 1886, a reduction was made in the tonnage
tax of 30 cents per ton per annum, formerly collected, and
instead, a duty of 3 cents per ton is imposed, not to exceed
in the aggregate 15 cents per ton in any one year on each
entry of vessels into United States ports from all foreign
ports and places in North America, Central America, the West
India Islands, or the coast of South America bordering on
the Caribbean Sea. This, it may be observed, has been
considered as applying to a geographical zone, not involving
a test of flag; while on vessels from all other foreign
ports a duty of 6 cents per ton is imposed on each entry,
not to exceed 30 cents per ton per annum in the aggregate,
and not, however, to include vessels in distress or not
engaged, in trade.
[Page 1952]
It is also provided in the same act that the President of the
United States shall suspend the collection of so much of the
duty imposed on vessels entering from any foreign port as
may be in excess of the tonnage and lighthouse dues, or
other equivalent tax or taxes imposed in said port on
American vessels by the Government of the foreign country in
which such port may be situated, and shall, as often as it
may be necessary by reason of changes in the laws of foreign
countries, indicate by proclamation the ports to which such
suspension shall apply, and the rate or rates of tonnage
duty, if any, to be collected under such suspension: Provided, That such proclamation
shall exclude from the benefits of such suspension the
vessels of any foreign country in whose ports the fees or
dues of any kind or nature imposed on vessels of the United
States or the import or export duties on their cargoes are
in excess of the fees, dues, or duties imposed on the
vessels of the country in which such port is situated, or on
the cargoes of such vessels.
The President, under the law, is directed to cause the
Governments of foreign countries which, at any of their
ports impose on American vessels a tonnage tax or lighthouse
dues, or other equivalent tax or taxes, or any other fees,
charges, or dues, to be informed of the provisions of the
relevant section of said law, and to invite them to
cooperate with the Government of the United States in
abolishing all lighthouse dues, tonnage taxes, or other
equivalent tax or taxes on and also all other fees for
official services to the vessels of the respective nations
employed in the trade between ports of such countries and
ports of the United States.
It will be seen that the provisions of the law referred to
are broad enough to cover either a reduction or a complete
abrogation by reciprocal action, of tonnage and equivalent
charges on navigation; and it is open to any foreign country
in all or any of whose ports a less charge is made than that
now imposed in the ports of the United States to obtain
forthwith a reduction of the charge in the United States on
vessels from such port or ports, to an equality with that
levied in the port or ports designated.
In view of these facts I am directed to invite the Government
of Peru to cooperate with the United States toward the
contemplated ends.
The intent of the present invitation is to deal, on the basis
of reciprocity, without reference to geographical limits. In
order that the statutory provisions may be fully understood,
in case this explanation may seem in any way inadequate, I
inclose a copy of the law with the sections marked to which
I have referred.
I am further instructed to ascertain whether in the ports of
Peru or in any dependency thereof, any discrimination exists
against vessels of the United States as compared with the
vessels of Peru (other than those engaged in coasting
trade), or of any other country, and if so, the precise
nature and extent of such discrimination; in order that the
Government of the United States may determine how far
shipping of Peru is to be restricted or excluded from the
privileges created under the existing laws, or under
arrangements of reciprocity if effected under the
authorization of this indicated statute.
Both in thus communicating this invitation and in seeking the
information just mentioned I desire to convey the fullest
assurances to your excellency of the entire frieudliness of
the action of my Government, and of its desire to treat the
commerce and flag of Peru on the footing of the most
complete reciprocity in those matters to which the
invitation relates.
Presenting herewith, etc.,
