611.1831/91: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Costa Rica (Sack)
12. Your 16, February 20, 10 a.m. The Department is sending you a written instruction with reference to its interpretation of the most-favored-nation provisions of the treaty of 1851 and of the proposed [Page 378] trade agreement; however, the Department’s position with reference to a possible amendment to the most-favored-nation clause is that set forth in its telegram 10, of February 19, 7 p.m. The Department sees no reason for its telegram to be misinterpreted as countenancing discrimination against American shipping companies in any form and, of course, depends upon the Legation to see that no such misinterpretation is placed on it.
Furthermore, the question of freight rates charged by private shipping companies is not a matter that can be treated in or in connection with the trade agreement, and this Government is not prepared to give any assurance or even discuss the subject in connection with the proposed trade agreement.