611.3131/79
The Chargé in Venezuela (Villard) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 27.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the Department’s telegram No. 5, January 16, 2 p.m. instructing me to inform the Minister for Foreign Affairs orally that in view of the Venezuelan Government’s action in removing the discrimination against American commerce, [Page 748] the Government of the United States would now be pleased to discuss the provisions that might be embodied in a reciprocal trade agreement.
I conveyed this message to the Minister on January 18, at the same time stating, as instructed by the Department, that I expected to receive my Government’s proposals, concessions and general provisions in the near future by air mail. The Minister readily agreed to make no public announcement on the subject for the time being, because, he said, he felt sure that the French would be concerned at the proposed agreement and would seek additional concessions for their trade as soon as it became known.
At a reception in the Colombian Legation on the afternoon of the same day, while I was conversing with President López Contreras and the Foreign Minister, the latter reminded the President of the imminent possibility that a trade agreement might be negotiated between Venezuela and the United States. The President assured me that he was greatly interested in the proposal and that he believed trade between the two countries could be materially benefited and stimulated by such an agreement. The Minister of Hacienda later mentioned to me that his Department was prepared to discuss possible concessions whenever convenient to the Legation.
Respectfully yours,