Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1934, General, the British Commonwealth, Volume I

856D.6176/175a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Bingham)

Washington, March 15, 1934—6 p.m.

100. Please telegraph Department any available information which you may be able to secure on the following points and mail copy to The Hague:

(1) Reasons for the delay in final signature of the agreement by the producers’ groups. Has this Government’s position played a part?

(2) What part is being taken in the negotiations by representatives of the British and Dutch Governments?

(3) Does contemplated producers’ agreement contain now or is it likely to establish maximum prices for the various types of rubber, including the special types of latex rubber and sprayed rubber? Further, does it contain or is it likely to establish specific means or machinery for preventing or checking price increases above the maximum?

(4) If price checking is not provided for in the producers’ agreement, is it the expectation that this point will be taken up by the Governments once the producers’ agreement is completed? Is it thought that action on these points by the Governments concerned would in any way upset or endanger the producers’ agreement?

(5) What provision for consumer representation is included in the agreement?

Similar instructions are being sent to The Hague¹⁹ with the request that copy of their reply be mailed to you.

Also submit by mail a report, in as great detail as possible, and drawing on all available sources of information, on negotiations for the restriction agreement to date, including the specific provisions of the proposed agreement. Transmit also, insofar as not heretofore transmitted, copies of all communications to and from the Embassy on the subject of rubber restriction.

Hull

19. As telegram No. 14, March 15, 6 p.m., not printed.