Office of the Historian

835.1561/4–1547: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Argentina

confidential
Washington, May 2, 1947—8 p.m.

383. Department desires more specific information concerning port discrimination referred to page 5 Embassay’s despatch 2264, April 11. In view representations by Moore-McCormack implying greater delays of their ships than those of Flota Mercante,78 has decree March 13 giving Flota exclusive use of certain berthing space resulted in their vessels incurring less delay? If this is case, Department of opinion this action, taken during period of port congestion, is discriminatory and gives Flota unfair competitive advantage unless other lines accorded opportunity acquiring exclusive berthing space. Suggest this matter be taken up officially with Argentine Government if Argentine vessels accorded any competitive advantage.

Marshall
  1. A memorandum of conversation by the Chief of the Division of River Plate Affairs (Lyon) April 30, indicated that on April 22, 14 Moore-McCormack ships were awaiting berths while a vessel of the Flota Mercante was berthed immediately upon arrival (835.1561/4–3047).↩