811.841/311
The Secretary of State to the Danish Minister (Brun)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of March 3, 1927,19 in further relation to the rates of tonnage duties collected on Danish vessels as compared to the rates collected on Norwegian vessels in the ports of the United States.
The matter of tonnage dues on Danish and Norwegian vessels has been receiving the consideration of the Department of State in conjunction with other authorities of the Government. I take pleasure in informing you that it is the view of the authorities of the Government concerned with the matter that, without regard to the merits of the contention advanced by your Government that Danish vessels are entitled under existing treaties to treatment no less favorable [Page 730] than the treatment accorded to Norwegian vessels in the ports of the United States, it is desirable to terminate the present system under which Danish vessels pay a higher rate of tonnage dues than Norwegian vessels pay.
It is hoped that a solution which will be satisfactory to your Government can be adopted soon after the convening of the Congress in December next.
Accept [etc.]
- Not printed.↩