611.5231/610
The Chargé in Spain (Benton) to the
Secretary of State
Madrid, November 17, 1931.
[Received
November 30.]
No. 527
Sir: In confirmation of the Ambassador’s
telegraphic despatch No. 94 of November 13th (12 noon), I have the honor
to transmit herewith the copy of a Memorandum furnished the Embassy by
Señor Calderon, the Chief of the Commercial Section in the Ministry of
State, containing a list of what he terms Spain’s “trade grievances”
against us, which, in the opinion of his Government, must be attended to
before we can realize the advantages of the tariff reductions accorded
France by the recent Franco-Spanish Commercial Agreement. A translation
of the Memorandum is also enclosed.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure—Translation]
Customs Duties and Restrictive Measures That
Have Seriously Affected the Exportation of Spanish Products to
the United States
- a).
- Fresh Fruits. Of especial interest is
the raising of the embargo on the entry of fresh fruits, notably
grapes, which might be adjusted by the substitution of
certificates issued by Spanish offices of vegetable pathology,
to the effect that the shipments are exempt from the pest
generally known as the Mediterranean fly, and said certificates
to be visaed by the North American Consul should the Washington
Government so require.
- b).
- Cork Manufactures. Customs duties on
these products are so high that Spanish exports of these
manufactures decreased by 195,283 metric quintals with a value
of 38,770,926 pesetas in the six months of 1930 as compared with
the corresponding period of 1929.
- c).
- Insulation Cork. This product has also
suffered a decided decline since the entry into effect of the
present North American tariff.
- d).
- Stoppers. One of the most serious
impediments that Spanish cork manufacturers encounter on their
entry into the United States is the necessity for each cork to
be stamped with the words “Made in Spain,” the suppression of
which with the substitution therefor of a stamp on the package
is of great importance.
- e).
- Mineral Waters. Annulment of the
measures that at present render impossible their entry into the
United States.
- f).
- Canned Goods. Peppers constituting the
principal item of Spanish export of this class of products to
the United States. The suppression of the sanitation methods
adopted by the North American authorities is of importance,
being based on their belonging to the “non-acid” class, whereas
it is well-known and scientifically demonstrable that they
belong to the “acid” group.
- g).
- Removal of the obstacles imposed to our tinned-fish and
reduction of the sanitary measures exclusively to glaring cases
proven before the Spanish exporters or technicians appointed by
them or before the Spanish Consular representatives.
- h).
- Firearms. More favorable treatment for
the entry of them and their parts would be desirable.
- i).
- Garlic. Suppression of the sanitary
measures that consist in determining that the straw of the
“string” may contain germs harmful to stock, and when this is
replaced by other vegetable fibers, the existence of other germs
injurious to stock, is alleged.
- j).
- Canary Island Potatoes. Permission for
the entry of these tubercles packed in sawdust or cork as is
done for fresh tomatoes from the Canaries; special importance
being attached to this request.
- k).
- Finally, it would be desirable that guaranty be given for
prohibition in the United States of usage, in packing
California-grapes and native onions, of such denominations as
“Valencia” and “Almeria Grapes” which are freely employed on
cards bearing the national Spanish colors and figures, in order
that the consumer may believe that the said products come from
Spain; against which usage the Spanish Government has repeatedly
protested without any result whatsoever.
