611.1431/127: Telegram

The Chargé in Guatemala ( O’Donoghue ) to the Secretary of State

42. Consul General and I have just seen Minister of Hacienda who regrets that for various reasons economic Guatemala is not able to grant any other than the original concessions except as regards 211–4–04–03 and –04 tariff duties on which will be reduced from 30 to 15 cents per gross kilo. All other items will be bound.

Guatemala accepts general provisions of agreement as transmitted with instruction No. 221, August 24. Guatemala requests binding chicle on free list but after explaining difficulty in doing this since Guatemala is not the principal producer, Minister of Hacienda indicated he would be prepared to waive this point. Guatemala also [Page 609] renewed requests for tariff reduction to 1½ cents per pound on bee honey.

Minister of Hacienda mentioned Guatemala’s denunciation of treaties with England, Germany, and Italy (see air mail despatch No. 749, September 316) and added that he hoped present proposals would be acceptable to the United States which would be the only country with which Guatemala would have any commercial treaty.

We did not mention removal of any items from the bound list as no bargaining apparent.

Minister of Hacienda’s memorandum today’s date being forwarded by air mail September 8th.16

O’Donoghue
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