851.4061 Motion Pictures/111: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:35 p.m.]
333. Embassy has just received from Foreign Office, under covering letter dated yesterday referring to French note of April 18th (see my despatch No. 9487 of April 19), an undated note from “The Under Secretary of State for Fine Arts charged by the French Government with following this affair” (i. e. the film question) of which the following is a translation:
“The French Government has received the conclusions of the Cinematograph Superior Control Commission concerning the regime which is to be applied in France from October 1st, next, to the entrance of foreign films. These conclusions are favorable to the maintenance of a contingent regime.
However, it has appeared to the French Government that in conformity with the desires expressed by American producers and notably by the representative of the Hays group, the adoption of another system of protection based upon a customs arrangement might be contemplated without, however, it being possible now to give any assurance on this latter point.
But the study of means for realizing such a system concerns several ministerial departments and thereby necessitates a certain delay.
The Control Commission, which in such an event would have again to be consulted, has asked that [the] representatives of the Hays group if the firms and organizations which compose this group would [Page 1019] be inclined to continue or to resume their business in France during the time which this new study would require.
The Commission is reported to have received a negative reply.
The French Government desires to know if this refusal was in fact given and if it will be maintained. It is proper indeed to point out that if it were so the French Government, in view of the decision which it must take, could only abide by the solution proposed by the Superior Control Commission.”
A copy and translation of the above note and covering letter going forward by today’s pouch.36
[Paraphrase.] I presume that the Department will be given full and exact information by Mr. Hays of the circumstances surrounding the alleged query regarding the continuance or resumption of business in France and the answer to the query as set forth in the note quoted above. [End paraphrase.]
- Not printed.↩