611.1631/87
The Secretary of State to the Minister in El Salvador (Corrigan)
Sir: The receipt is acknowledged of your despatch No. 93 of November 2, 1934, in regard to a recent increase in the tariff on cotton imported into El Salvador.
With reference to the first paragraph on page 2 of your despatch, wherein it is stated that in giving public notice of intention to negotiate a trade agreement with El Salvador the Department apparently overlooked information furnished by you to the effect that the Salvadoran Foreign Office felt that for the time being it would be preferable not to give such notice, you are informed that before the public notice was given the Minister of El Salvador, in conversation with Assistant Secretary Welles, stated that he had been instructed by his Government to state that the Government of El Salvador desired to negotiate a trade agreement with the United States. Upon being told by Mr. Welles that public notice of the negotiation would be given simultaneously with notices regarding negotiations with the other Central American republics, the Minister said that he appreciated this courtesy on the part of the Department and was entirely in accord with the public notice being given.
In view of the above, the Department is of the opinion that its attitude with respect to the raising of tariff rates at the present time on commodities imported principally from the United States, as set forth in its instruction No. 42 of October 26, 1934, is well taken. It is suggested, therefore, that, unless you perceive objections other than those raised in your despatch under acknowledgment, you bring the Department’s view of the increase in tariff on imported cotton informally to the attention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Very truly yours,
[See also extract from instruction No. 120, December 21, 1934, to the Minister in Costa Rica, printed on page 92.]