611.5131/1696
The Chargé in France (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 17.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a note,4 dated February 20, 1937, which, in accordance with the authorization contained in the Department’s telegram No. 62 of February 4, 9 p.m.,4 [Page 277] the Embassy has addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pointing out certain items in the new French tariff, issued in conformity with Articles 8 and 13 of the Fiscal Reform Law, the rates upon which appear to have been increased in contravention of the provisions of the Franco-American Trade Agreement.
Although the fiscal reform law itself, and informal inquiries which the Embassy has made, appear to indicate that these increases are the result of the inclusion in the tariff rate of taxes which were formerly collected separately, and do not, in fact, increase the total charges upon the American products imported into France, the Embassy has felt that we were at least entitled to some explanation of the action of the French Government in increasing rates of duty which had been bound in the Trade Agreement.
The Embassy’s note therefore represents an effort to give the Ministry an opportunity to give such an explanation.
A further report will be made to the Department when a reply has been received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Respectfully yours,