653.116/40: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Portugal (Andrews)
[Paraphrase]
Washington, April 27,
1928—3 p.m.
12. Reference your 18, April 23, 6 p.m.
- (1)
- Authorization is given you for further representations regarding delay over abandonment of shipping discriminations. In addition to the ten percent customs discrimination against cargoes, the Department understands that there still exist discriminations as to port charges to be paid by foreign vessels. If this is so, refer to it in your communications to the Portuguese Foreign Office and make it clear that for American vessels full national treatment as to all dues and charges to be paid by them or their cargoes is sought.
- (2)
- A coal subsidy to be paid to national shipowners does not belong in the same category with discriminating charges against foreign vessels and their cargoes, because a commonly accepted method to assist national shipping is the direct subsidy or subvention of this sort. The Department feels, moreover, that protesting such a measure may interfere with abandoning the discriminations, already made contingent by the Portuguese Government upon some means being found to compensate its national shipping in losing such advantages. The above considerations you may desire to bring to the attention of your colleagues informally.
- (3)
- The Department on April 11 mailed an instruction to you saying that Portugal’s acceptance, in principle, of national treatment [Page 777] for shipping may provide an opportunity to propose a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights, thus giving effect to the principle mentioned, and stating that it is desired, upon Minister Dearing’s return from his visit to the Portuguese colonies, to take an early occasion unless he perceives objection, for the carrying out of this proposal. Involving an offer of reciprocal guarantees against discrimination, such a proposal might induce a more favorable reaction than continuing to press for Portugal’s abandonment of discrimination. As the Department feels you are in a better position to decide whether further representations might create at this time an unfavorable attitude, you are allowed the discretion whether to postpone such action until Minister Dearing has had a chance to consider the proposal of a treaty.
Kellogg