611.6731/462: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray)
Washington, December 3, 1938—4
p.m.
28. Your 58, November 27, 4 p.m.55
- 1.
- It is the definite policy of this Government to include an article on exchange depreciation in the general provisions of its trade agreements, and this policy has been consistently followed in all agreements concluded since 1935. It is felt therefore that the Article should be included in the proposed agreement with Turkey in order that a precedent may not be established for its omission in any subsequent agreement where its inclusion would be of greatest practical importance. It is therefore essential that you continue to seek the assent of the Turkish authorities to its inclusion. If, however, the omission of this Article proves to be a sine qua non, for the Turks, and if agreement has been reached with respect to all other essential points, you should so inform the Department by telegraph.
- 2.
- In view of this Government’s general policy of granting concessions on articles of which the other country is a principal or major supplier, it is felt that the exception to this principle already made in [Page 1098] authorizing you to offer a reduction to 40 cents in the specific rate on oriental rugs is as far as we should go, and therefore that no further reduction should be granted in this rate.
Welles
- Not printed. This telegram reported detailed tariff schedule negotiations and with respect to general provisions as follows: “Turks are prepared to accept the general provisions approved by the Department in its 101, October 31, 1 p.m., with the following changes; reduction of delay provided in article 1 to 3 months, omission of article on exchange depreciation and several very minor modifications.” In its reply, telegram No. 27, November 29, 7 p.m., the Department authorized the delegation to accept provision for 3 months’ notice in article 1. (611.6731/437, 462)↩