611.6531/419: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 1—9:45 a.m.]
162. Department’s telegram No. 64, June 30, 2 p.m.17 Although the Embassy has on repeated occasions urged upon Italian officials the importance of bringing the temporary arrangement into operation in accordance with the Department’s desires, no reply to the Embassy’s note of April 25 has yet been forthcoming. It has been explained that the delay has been due to the pressure of work on the limited staff of the Ministry for Foreign Trade and Exchange.
As indicated in the Embassy’s telegram No. 156, June 22, 7 p.m.,17 the Minister has decreed in compliance with the Department’s request that importation of all articles which are of considerable interest to the United States will be placed as of July 1 on a license basis and that the total quantity of each product permitted to be imported shall be established. The list of these articles, quotas for which it is understood will be calculated on the basis of 65% of imports in 1934, is not yet complete but it will be forthcoming shortly. It is also understood that as in the case of other countries whose imports are on a contingent basis the importation of articles from the United States for which specific quotas have not been established will not be permitted.
With respect to goods from the United States which were ordered under the “bolletta” system and any other, had already been shipped prior to the promulgation of the new order, the Embassy has been informed verbally that importation will be permitted under the old system. The Embassy will continue to press for an early reply.