Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1906, (In two parts), Part I

The Secretary of State to Ambassador Francis.

Department of State,
Washington, October 20, 1906.

No. 40.]

Sir: Referring to your No. 45, of August 27 last, in regard to the Austrian decree of July 5, 1906, prohibiting the importation of meats from non-European countries into Austria except by special permit from the minister of the interior, I inclose a copy of a letter from the Secretary of Agriculture relative to the methods observed by his department for the inspection of meats and meat products intended for exportation. I also inclose two prints showing the regulations adopted by the Department of Agriculture for the inspection of these meats.

Secretary Wilson desires that the attention of the Austrian Government may be invited to the manner in which the inspection is conducted with a view to obtaining a modification of the decree so as to admit into Austria meats from this country which have been inspected and passed and which are accompanied by a certificate of inspection.

You will bring the matter to the attention of the Austrian Government.

I am, etc.,

Elihu Root.

[Inclosure.]

Department of Agriculture,
Office of the Secretary,
Washington, October 10, 1906.

The Secretary of State.

Sir: I have the honor to refer to your letter of the 1st Instant, inclosing a copy of a dispatch from the American chargé d’affaires ad interim at Vienna, which inclosure refers to a decree dated July 5, 1906, whereby the Austrian Government permits the importation of meats from non-European countries only by special permit from the minister of the interior in each instance. Considering the fact that this Government passed a law under date of June 30, 1906, prohibiting the exportation of any meats which have not been inspected by officials of the Government and which, when sent to the Continent of Europe, are unaccompanied by a certificate of inspection, and as this law became fully effective on October 1 last, it is respectfully suggested that this matter be called to the attention of the Austrian Government with a view to obtaining a modification of the decree so as to admit into that country meats which have been so inspected and passed and which are accompanied by a certificate of inspection.

A copy of the law and the regulations governing inspection are inclosed herewith.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

James Wilson, Secretary.