Mr. Storer to Mr. Hay.
Brussels, May 13, 1899.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of April 19, numbered 251, which arriving in due course of mail did not seem to require answer until I had some further communication from the ministry to transmit on this subject.
I received yesterday a visit from the minister of foreign affairs, who expressed his regret for the delay which had occurred in carrying into effect the formal engagement on the part of the ministry that the royal decree raising the prohibition of American cattle importation would be promulgated during the time heretofore reported by me.
[Page 92]In expressing his apologies, he made the explanation that certain new embarrassments of detail had unexpectedly arisen between the Belgian minister of agriculture and the authorities of Holland, and this was the only cause which had delayed the carrying into effect of the intention of the ministry regarding American cattle, which intention remained unaltered. While unable to give assurance of the exact day that the signature of the King would be attached to this decree, which has already been drawn up, he assured me of his full confidence that this would be done, and the decree officially promulgated before the day on which I shall present my letters of recall from this port. He also expressed his regret that the rate of duties on Belgian sugar in the United States could not have been made on the basis of the suggestions of his Government, at the same time acknowledging the concessions made by the Treasury Department of the United States. I may add that in my opinion the Department may expect some advances from the Belgian minister at Washington looking to an interchange of some possible reciprocal advantages under section 4 of the tariff act.
I have, etc.,