811.114 St. Pierre-Miquelon/377
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Straus)
Sir: There is enclosed a copy of a recent note41 from the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the French Republic at this Capital, stating that the Minister of the Colonies has called the attention of the Administrator [Page 431] of the Islands of St. Pierre-et-Miquelon to the matter of the smuggling of alcohol from the Colony and has recommended the taking of the necessary measures to prevent a recurrence of such violations. A copy of our reply to this note is likewise enclosed, as well as copies of a despatch, a report and a telegram from the American Vice Consul at St. Pierre-et-Miquelon on the same subject.42 It will be observed that the Administrator states that he is doing everything he can with the means at his disposal to prevent the smuggling of alcohol out of St. Pierre and that he would welcome “strong protestations” by our Embassy to his Government.
In this connection you are requested, unless you perceive objection, to call at the Foreign Office and to express appreciation for the information contained in the recent note from the Chargé d’Affaires referred to above, but add that it appears that, while the Administrator is endeavoring to the best of his ability to carry out his duties with regard to preventing the smuggling of alcohol from the Colony, he is apparently unable to cope with the situation with the means at his disposal.
You may say that according to the information we have received from our Vice Consul at St. Pierre, another gendarme has returned to France, leaving only three and the Commandant to take care of patrolling the water front in addition to their other duties; that since the loading of the vessel from the trucks at the breakwater opposite the Custom House pier, which the Vice Consul personally observed on the night of June 1–2, 1936, and the other incidents mentioned in our note of June 13, 1936, to the French Embassy, at least two other vessels are strongly suspected of having departed with cargoes of alcohol, namely, the H. G. McLean, which left St. Pierre at midnight June 4–5 in a fog, traveling without lights and apparently heavily loaded, and the Casanova, which also appeared to be heavily loaded as it left St. Pierre in a fog on June 10. Furthermore, the information contained in the Vice Consul’s telegram dated June 20, to the effect that he plainly heard and saw an auxiliary schooner enter and leave the harbor between two and three o’clock on the morning of June 20, 1936, presumably after loading a cargo of alcohol, should also be brought to the attention of the French authorities.
It would appear, therefore, that additional measures are required to stop the smuggling of alcohol from St. Pierre-Miquelon. We believe that the Administrator of the Colony is doing the best he can with the means at his disposal but it seems to be impossible for him to combat the smuggling traffic without further assistance.
You should add that as this Government is doing its utmost to stamp out the illicit alcohol traffic, it naturally views with concern the revival of alcohol smuggling from St. Pierre-et-Miquelon and [Page 432] sincerely hopes that the French Government will find it possible to take whatever steps may be necessary to assist the Administrator in preventing these illicit activities.
The Secretary of the Treasury, as you undoubtedly know, is very much concerned over the problem of the smuggling of alcohol and is doing everything possible to break up this illicit traffic. You are, therefore, requested to endeavor to impress upon the appropriate French authorities the seriousness with which this Government views the situation which seems to be developing at St. Pierre-et-Miquelon.
The result of your representations will be awaited with interest.43
Very truly yours,
- Dated May 28, 1936; not printed.↩
- None printed.↩
- In his despatch No. 2928, July 27, 1936, the Ambassador informed the Department as follows: “The Embassy has been advised by the Foreign Office that the Ministry of Colonies, appreciating the seriousness with which the Government of the United States views this question, has augmented the customs forces in the Islands and has also inaugurated a night patrol service.” (811.114 St. Pierre-Miquelon/397)↩