821.1561/96
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Colombia ( Muse )
Sir: In the Department’s instruction of April 29, 1930, regarding the complaint of Messrs. Grace and Company against a tax imposed by the Colombian Government on the use of privately owned lighters in the port of Buenaventura, the Legation was informed, you will recall, that the Secretary of the Treasury of this Government had been asked to indicate whether it is true, as had been alleged, in justification of the measure, that similar taxes are imposed in the harbor of New York on similar services. You were also informed that as soon as a reply should be received it would be communicated to you by telegram.
The Treasury Department’s reply not having been received as soon as it was expected a second inquiry, dated May 22, 1930,10 was addressed to the Treasury Department. There is enclosed for your information a copy of a letter of June 2 from that Department11 which, you will note, replies to this Department’s letters of April 24 and May 22, 1930.12 This has already been brought to the attention of the chief of your Mission who, you are of course aware, is now in Washington. Since the nature of the Treasury Department’s response is such that it appears not to warrant reopening the discussion with the Colombian authorities on the subject, Mr. Caffery has said that he sees no reason why the information should be sent to you by telegraph. Therefore, it is being forwarded by mail merely for the completion of the Legation’s records on the case.
I am [etc.]