660C.116/152: Telegram (part air)
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Poland (Cudahy)
10. The Department desires that the Ambassador seek an early interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs during which he should inform him that the Government of the United States, in connection with the trade agreements which are now being negotiated with several countries, is examining the treatment accorded by foreign countries to American trade with a view to determining whether tariff reductions specified in such agreements should be extended to imports from other countries. You should point out that the law contains provisions for the suspension of the extension of such tariff reductions to any country which discriminates against American commerce.
The liberalized commercial policy which this Government feels must be pursued by it and other important nations, if the normal value of international trade and finance is to be restored, rests upon the doctrine of equality of trade treatment and opportunities. Naturally, it desires to generalize any concessions granted in a reciprocity trade agreement to all countries without regard to compensation. This policy, of course, assumes that other countries will likewise be disposed gradually, at least, to abandon narrow and exclusively bilateral bargaining arrangements which are filled with discriminations, and proceed simultaneously with this and other countries in pursuit of the broad commercial policy which will be calculated very much to increase trade.
This Government observes that the Polish Government at present is not pursuing this liberalized commercial policy with the doctrine of equality of trade treatment, but it assumes that the Polish Government will undoubtedly not desire to pursue the more narrow and exclusively bilateral and discriminatory trade methods for an indefinite period, but that the Polish Government will seek as early and as rapidly as may be practicable to join with the United States and other governments in support of the broader economic program.
[Page 630]This Government, therefore, would be much interested to learn from the Polish Government just how soon it can be expected to proceed in support of the doctrine of equality in commercial treatment, to the end that its contrary course will not impede the earnest desire of this Government to generalize fully all concessions to the Polish Government.
You should recall to the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations which you made in November, 1933, in compliance with the Department’s telegram No. 48 of November 8, 1933,1 and state that the Government of the United States would regret exceedingly if it were compelled to come to the conclusion that it continues to be the policy and practice of the Polish Government to deny to American trade the treatment to which it is entitled under the provisions of the treaty of friendship, commerce, and consular rights.2 Consequently, under instructions from your Government, you are approaching the Minister for Foreign Affairs with a view to ascertaining authoritatively the attitude of the Polish Government with regard to American trade and in particular whether it is the purpose of the Polish Government to accord to American trade the treatment specified in the treaty and you would appreciate information regarding the restrictions now imposed or to be imposed by the Polish Government on imports from the United States, including full details relating to the application to American imports of contingents, quotas, and the system of compensation exports, and an explanation of the nature, purpose, and disposition of special fees levied or charged on American imports subjected to such restrictions.
In your discussions with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, you should endeavor to bring about the removal by the Polish Government of measures and practices which in effect discriminate against American trade, and you should make special efforts to obtain a clear statement of the precise conditions under which imports from the United States may enter Poland.
A summary of the reply made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to these representations together with your frank opinion with regard thereto and with regard to the actual treatment which American trade is now receiving in Poland should be cabled promptly to the Department.3 A complete report should be forwarded by mail as soon as possible. This report should also include detailed information regarding the treatment of American imports (1) on the so-called free list, (2) under contingents and quotas, and (3) subject to the compensation system. Statistical information for the most recent period available should be furnished covering totals and important individual [Page 631] commodities in each category. The nature, amount, and disposition of compensation fees charged should be adequately explained and compensatory exports to the United States discussed.
- Not printed.↩
- Signed June 15, 1931, Foreign Relations, 1931, vol. ii, p. 924.↩
- Telegram not printed.↩