For your information, I transmit herewith a copy and translation of
the Minister’s reply.
[Enclosure—Translation]
The French Minister of Commerce (Rollin) to the
American Ambassador (Edge)
Mr. Ambassador: By a letter dated March
10th, you were good enough to point out to me the repercussion
on American commerce and industry which would be brought about
by the various quota measures which have been taken by the
French Government and which are at present in course of
preparation.
You lay stress especially on the project of a quota for machine
tools and you request that the figures of the import quantities
to be admitted be not drawn up without a preliminary exchange of
views [Page 205] between the
French industry and the delegates of the American industry.
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of this communication of
which I personally took note and which has had my careful
attention.
I need not remind you that, insofar as I am concerned, my
greatest desire is to be able to arrange the quota measures in
respect to foreign imports in such a way as to prejudice as
little as possible American production.
Allow me, however, to point out to you that, from the point of
view of the establishment of quota measures, the American
industry is not placed in the same position as the majority of
European industries and more especially the German industry.
In reality, if the French Government has, up to the present,
invited the directors of the various French industries concerned
to make an effort to come to an industrial understanding with
the representatives of the different foreign industries, and, in
the case in question, with the German industries, it is because
of the consolidation of customs duties which exist in commercial
agreements signed between France and these countries.
The engagement taken by France constitutes a particular
circumstance which, (without prejudicing the incontestable right
of our country to control foreign imports, notwithstanding the
tariff consolidation in question), lays a moral obligation on us
to make every effort in order that private industrial agreements
may be concluded between the countries concerned.
Such is not, unfortunately, the situation of the United States
since no contractual engagement has been entered into between
this country and France.
In regard more particularly to the quota for machine tools, it
does not appear to me, moreover, possible to adjourn any longer
the realization of a measure which is impatiently awaited by the
French industry.
I am anxious, however, to affirm that American imports of machine
tools will be in no way placed at a disadvantage and that in
this regard American industry will be strictly treated on an
equal footing with the other foreign industries.
For the rest, the proposed quota in question is far from applying
to all categories of machine tools. It only applies to some of
them and again I must add that, even for these categories, a
whole series of machine tools, the manufacture of which is not
sufficiently developed in France, will be admitted outside of
the quota.
[Page 206]
With regard to the future, as I am desirous of demonstrating all
the consideration I attach to the request you have made me, I
will willingly point out to the French industries concerned the
desire of the American Government that preliminary conversations
be opened between their representatives and the delegates of the
corresponding American industries.
For my part, I can only see advantages in an exchange of views on
this subject between American and French producers and their
conclusion in private industrial agreements.
Yours [etc.]
