811.623 Florida/2
The Secretary of State to the Italian Chargé (Marchetti di Muriaglio)
The Secretary of State presents his compliments to the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of Italy and, referring to the Ambassador’s notes of August 9 and September 9, 1927, relative to a new fish and game law which became effective in the State of Florida on July 1, 1927, has the honor to advise him of the receipt of a communication from the Governor of that State relative to this matter.
In this communication the following statements have been made which the Secretary of State believes satisfactorily dispose of this matter:
“Under Articles 1 of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation of February 26, 1871, in force between the United States and Italy, Italian fish dealers who wish to purchase license for operating in Florida, and who have resided in the State of Florida for at least six months immediately preceding the time that application for [Page 114] license is made would be entitled to purchase a license at the cost at which such a license would be issued to a resident of Florida.
“Under this provision Italian retail fish dealers who have not resided in the State for six months immediately preceding the time at which they make application for a license for handling freshwater fish, will be required to pay $50 for such a license; those who establish the fact that they have resided in Florida during the six months immediately preceding the making of application for such license may obtain such a license for $5.”
It may be added that according to information furnished by the Governor of Florida, American citizens who have not resided in Florida for six months immediately preceding the dates of their applications for licenses are required to pay a fee of $50. American citizens who have resided in Florida six months preceding the date of their applications are required to pay a fee of $5.
It seems from the foregoing that Italian subjects resident in Florida receive the same treatment in the matter of licenses to dealers in fish as resident American citizens receive and that nonresident Italians and non-resident citizens of the United States likewise receive equal treatment.