611.5531/712

The Secretary of State to the Belgian Ambassador (Van der Straten-Ponthoz)

My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I refer to your note of January 9, 1937, in which you advised me of the desire of your Government to examine the exact text of the proposed changes in the Belgian counter-draft of general provisions to supplement the trade agreement of February 27, 1935, before commenting on them.

In accordance with your request, I have had a new draft prepared embodying the changes which were discussed with you and Mr. Grenade by officers of the Department. I am enclosing5 the original and [Page 221] a copy of this revised draft, together with the original and a copy of a memorandum showing the exact changes which are proposed in the counter-draft prepared by your Government and outlining the reasons why they have been proposed.

The changes which are contained in the present draft relate principally to wording except in the article on exchange control, with respect to which the Government of the United States is presenting a new proposal. In so far as the general content of the provisions is concerned, there appears to be substantial agreement. I hope that we may therefore be able to look forward to an early conclusion of the negotiations.

I am [etc.]

Cordell Hull
  1. Enclosures mentioned not printed.