638.5131/231: Telegram

The Third Secretary of Legation in Haiti (Bacon) to the Secretary of State

121. Leger informed me today that he intends next Tuesday to refuse a demand for restitution of custom duties made by an importer of American pharmaceutical products who claims most-favored-nation treatment for United States products intrinsically similar to French products imported under existing treaty with France. I pointed out that my Government had every reason to expect most-favored-nation [Page 637] treatment. Leger said that although he expected a protest he could not act otherwise at present in view of continuing delicate Franco-Haitian negotiations. De la Rue expresses the opinion that Leger is acting without knowledge of President Vincent, and that refusal might be forestalled.

Bacon