681.003/113
The Ambassador in France (Straus) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 2, 1935.]
Sir: Subsequent to my conversation with M. Leger, reported in my telegram No. 943 of December 18, 3 p.m., 1934, a member of the Embassy staff called on M. de la Baume, chief of the Commercial Section of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in order to make of record with the Ministry, through the leaving of an Aide-Mémoire, the fact that the Government of the United States will have representations to make concerning the contemplated institution of a new customs regime in Morocco.
M. de la Baume said that the French Government is in nowise desirous of riding roughshod over the rights of other countries and that it only wishes to institute certain protective measures in Morocco after friendly consultation with the other treaty powers. He intimated that the contemplated customs changes are desirable not only for the protection of Morocco but as well for the mutual advantage of all countries trading with Morocco on account of the menace of cheap Japanese goods. He asserted that the conversations which have been held between M. Ponsot and Mr. Maxwell Blake are evidence of the French desire not to take any step without prior understanding with the American Government.
The Foreign Office official most strongly begged that the American Government’s observations be not conveyed in a formal note wherein an inflexible position is adopted which would render more difficult a friendly understanding. He asked that instead of sending a note in the first instance, when the Embassy receives its instructions from the Department, it inform the Foreign Office in order that an oral exchange of views may take place. He felt that by this means there would be an opportunity for the reaching of an understanding agreeable to all. He said that the British and others had followed this course and that, as a result, it will be possible shortly to sign agreements with Great Britain and the other treaty powers, consenting to a modification of the present customs régime in Morocco, to which change we are at present the only Government which has continued its opposition.
Respectfully yours,