811.114/1063
The Spanish Ambassador ( Riaño ) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary: Referring to the order of the Honorable the President of the Republic concerning the interpretation to be put on the order of the Attorney General prohibiting the transportation of alcoholic beverages in American territorial waters, I have the honor to apply to Your Excellency with the request that you kindly point out to the proper Department the special circumstances under which the Spanish steamship companies which run ships between Spain and this Republic are placed.
This service, established more than 30 years ago in its most important branches, is not a direct service but a service of transit to the ports of Central and South America, and if the recently ordered measures should prevail, the services of these Spanish companies would be wholly disrupted since all the service with Central and South America would have to be changed or suspended, thus enormously injuring their interests. Your Excellency is aware that in the majority of European countries wine is considered as forming part of food and if the Spanish sailors are denied it at their meals they will not ship.
I merely make this remark for Your Excellency’s information and that of the proper Department, but not in any way implying the assent of His Majesty’s Government to the new law, and much less to the principle which inspired it.
I take [etc.]
- File translation revised.↩