665.116/214: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Italy (Kirk)
70. Your 174, August 20, 5 p.m. Has some definite formula been established upon which quota shares for each country are based—e. g. percentage of average imports over a given period of time? Let me know what formula if any has been established.
In cases where quotas have already been exhausted will goods in customs warehouses and in transit be admitted entry? It seems only fair that they should.
It seems highly inequitable to make quotas retroactive to January 1 and charge against quotas imports brought in over such a long unrestricted time. It means in the case of lard total disruption of trade for the remainder of this quota period. Some imports should be permitted in order that ordinary trade lines may at least be kept alive. [Page 599] I would like to have your views on the foregoing points together with any other pertinent information such as the quota on coffee.