653.116/39: Telegram
The Chargé in Portugal (Andrews) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 10—9:45 a.m.]
15. Legation’s despatch 2220, February 24, 1928. Interested chiefs of mission are now disposed to make renewed representations to the Portuguese Government against shipping discrimination. The consultation will probably take place this week.
On April 6th the other representatives and myself received from the British Ambassador an identical note calling attention to the Government decree of February 28, last, granting a subsidy of one and one half escudos per ton upon coal imported in Portuguese vessels, and implying that this also should be protested. A difference of opinion exists on the expediency of this. I intend to omit it, as the importation of American coal is extremely small, and to limit any renewed protests to the general percentage discrimination, following the sense of Minister Dearing’s previous protest to the Foreign Office, number 554, on January 6, 1927, reported in despatch No. 1759, following day.11
On April 5th a note evidently in reply to some other person was addressed to me by the Minister for Foreign Affairs stating that in respect of the discrimination the Government had decided upon modifications, but that it alone could judge when to promulgate them.
The coal bounty is probably intended to compensate Portuguese shippers for losses produced by abolition or reduction of percentage discrimination.
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