611.516 Wines/11: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Straus)
376. The French Ambassador called this morning and left a written assurance that the apple and pear importations will be effected, that if the ordinary importers fail, others would be substituted from the beginning of the second month and that should the tax unexpectedly prove prohibitive it would be reduced to the extent which may be necessary. With these assurances in hand we have completed negotiations. The press was informed this evening, in general terms, that the French Government has given written assurance that the importations will be effected and that it will do whatever is necessary for this purpose and that issuance of permits on the additional wine and spirits quota will proceed immediately.