810.79611 Tri Motors Safety Airways/208

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France ( Edge )

No. 74

Sir: In further reference to the subject matter of the Department’s instruction No. 4331 of December 14, 1929, and your despatch No. 88 of January 10, 1930, the Department has now received a letter, dated February 10, 1930, from the New York, Rio and Buenos Aires Line, Incorporated, from which the following quotations are given for your information as indicative of the attitude adopted by this Company:

“In reviewing the present situation and status of the French Islands and Possessions on our route, we wish to bring to your attention a situation which is not only embarrassing to the New York, Rio and Buenos Aires Line, Incorporated, but a distinct menace to the lives of United States and Latin American citizens, and the safety of international mail.

The French Government has refused to grant us the privilege of using Guadeloupe, Martinique and Cayenne as emergency landing places. This refusal forces our planes to the extremity of flying long distances without relief. The necessity of flying abnormally long distances not only puts an unnatural strain upon the flying personnel, which may result in an accident, but at certain times of the year it prohibits our planes from seeking shelter during severe storms.

The Nyrbalines will carry United States and Latin American mails over the territory in question, as well as international passengers, and we feel that the French Government should be thoroughly cognizant of this situation, and informed that any accidents caused by their decision to either international passengers or mail, may have a very detrimental effect on their own commerce with us if given publicity in the United States.

We would respectfully ask, therefore, that you bring this matter officially to the attention of the French Government.”

With reference to the third paragraph of the letter which has been cited, you are informed that as yet, the New York, Rio and Buenos Aires Line has not obtained this Government’s contract to carry mail.

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Although the Department does not feel that as a matter of international practice the type of argument contained in this letter can appropriately be adopted by this Government, you may nevertheless feel that the Company’s point of view is of sufficient interest to the French Government to merit your bringing it, in an oral, informal manner and as opportunity presents itself, to the attention of the appropriate French officials.

I am [etc.]

For the Acting Secretary of State:
Francis White