File No. 2338/15–16.

Ambassador White to the Secretary of State.

No. 2.]

Sir: With reference to your instruction No. 2, of February 28 (file 2332/11), I beg to state that the French Government has not yet replied to this embassy’s communications of March 1 and 5, giving all the information supplied by the department with regard to the mode [Page 407] of inspection of our salted meats, and accompanied by copies of the law of June 30, 1906, and of the regulations which it called for.

On the 21st instant Mr. Vignaud addressed another note to M. Pichon with regard to the matter, asking him to kindly inform this embassy of its present standing. A copy of this note is herewith inclosed.

I have, etc.,

Henry White.
[Inclosure.]

Chargé Vignaud to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Sir: Several times this embassy has communicated with your excellency with regard to the condition of American salted meats, which can no longer be introduced into France on account of their not being accompanied by a certificate of microscopic inspection.

By this embassy’s dispatches of December 20, 1906, and of the 1st instant, it was fully explained that the enforcement of the inspection law of June 30, 1906, had rendered unnecessary the old microscopic examination, which is now superseded by a very rigid system of inspection, making it impossible to put on the market for consumption any unsound meats.

These explanations were accompanied by a copy of the law and by copies of the regulations made to insure its application. On the 5th instant other papers relating to the matter were submitted, which were thought to be of such character as to satisfy the minister of agriculture that the American Government had taken all due precaution to avoid any unhealthy meat product from being exported. Having received from the Secretary of State a dispatch asking what the present status of the question was, I beg to recall to your excellency’s attention these various communications and to say that this embassy would be pleased to reply to my Government’s inquiry with as little delay as possible.

I avail, etc.,

Henry Vignaud.