811.114 St. Pierre-Miquelon/471: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 24—6:11 p.m.]
271. Your 103, February 23, 7 p.m. After consideration of your telegram under reference, the Ministry of Colonies and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs have come to the conclusion that instead of attempting further to agree upon the proposed definition it is preferable to abandon the proposal to abrogate the present bonding system. In other words, they now propose to leave the decree of April 9, 1935, regarding the bonding system for the exportation of alcohol from St. Pierre, in full force and effect.
In addition the Ministry for Foreign Affairs states that if there should be any continuance of smuggling they will be prepared to reexamine the situation. Furthermore, that the administration of St. Pierre will receive special instructions from the Ministry of Colonies to supervise the importation of alcohol into the islands so that, if necessary, measures may be taken to prevent the building up of new stocks.
We have attempted with the support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to obtain in addition to the retention of the decree of April 9, 1935, a new decree prohibiting the importation of foreign alcohol into the islands. We have pointed out that the Administrative Council has submitted for the approval of the Ministry of Colonies a resolution of September 29, 1936, prohibiting the importation of foreign alcohol and that all that would be necessary would be for the Ministry of Colonies to give its consent. The Ministry of Colonies, however, states that at the same time as the foregoing resolution was submitted it was understood between the Administrative Council and the Administrator of St. Pierre that the present bonding system would be suppressed. The Ministry of Colonies, therefore, takes the position that if they are now to maintain in effect the present bonding system they cannot, in view of the foregoing understanding, approve the resolution which would prohibit the importation of foreign alcohol. The Ministry of Colonies furthermore states that so long as the decree of April 9, 1935, governing exportations is in effect, there is no necessity for prohibiting foreign alcohols.
Inasmuch as the present bonding system is to remain in force, the French Government, instead of issuing a decree prohibiting the manufacture of alcohol in the islands, renews to us through the Foreign Office its assurances that the manufacture of alcohol in the islands, in fact, will not be permitted.
I should appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.