811.114 St. Pierre-Miquelon/467: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 19—1:55 p.m.]
243. Your 97, February 18, 10 p.m. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs us that the fourth decree mentioned in the first paragraph [Page 307] of Embassy’s 238, February 18, 6 p.m., is intended to prohibit the importation of bulk alcohol which might be used in smuggling even though such alcohol may possess a trade name.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggests that the question raised by our Treasury Department might be met by defining “alcool de traite” in the decree itself and suggests that our Treasury Department itself should propose the definition of “alcool de traite”.
If you find this arrangement satisfactory the French Government as a matter of form proposes to issue the decrees in the following manner: decrees 1 and 2 as given in our 238, February 18, 6 p.m.; decrees 3 and 4 to be consolidated into one decree which would:
- (a)
- prohibit the importation of “alcool de traite” into St. Pierre-Miquelon;
- (b)
- define “alcool de traite”;
- (c)
- prohibit the installation of any distillery of alcohol in the islands of St. Pierre-Miquelon.
I should greatly appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.