835.1561/11–1047

The Ambassador in Argentina (Bruce) to the Secretary of State

No. 3193

Sir: Referring to the Department’s Confidential Instruction No. 869 of August 2, 1947, I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of the Embassy’s Note Verbale No. 20 of October 9, 1947, to the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding the preferential treatment said to be accorded in the ports of Argentina to vessels of the Argentine government which are engaged in commercial traffic, and to the unfair competitive advantage which this situation provides.

The Embassy has not yet received a reply to this Note Verbale.

Respectfully yours,

For the Ambassador:
Julian Greenup

Counselor of Embassy for Economic Affairs
[Enclosure]

The American Ambassador in Argentina (Bruce) to the Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship (Bramuglia)

No. 20

Excellency: For such favorable action as Your Excellency may in cooperation accord, I have the honor to call attention to the preferential treatment said to be accorded in the ports of Argentina to vessels of the Argentine government which are engaged in commercial traffic; and to the unfair competitive advantage which this situation provides.

This preferential treatment quite naturally encourages exporters and importers to patronize the Argentine vessels which deliver and receive cargo rapidly, in preference to shipping on vessels which, not enjoying such benefits, have to await long periods in port. Merchants who receive their goods with great delay are handicapped as compared with competitors who receive their merchandise promptly; and the shipping companies which have to defray the expenses of long idleness of vessels are forced to bear an unequal financial burden as compared with the Argentine government ships which turn around quickly.

Before bringing this matter to Your Excellency’s attention, it was deemed appropriate to request a complete investigation in the United States pertaining to the handling of vessels of the United States government engaged in commercial traffic. The Embassy has now received an official reply stating that no preference is given to vessels of the [Page 273] United States or any other nation, apart from the usual international procedure pertaining to considerations of health, perishable cargo, passenger vessels, et cetera.

The communication from Washington indicated that American as well as foreign steamship operators are, however, permitted to own privately or to lease port facilities for their exclusive or preferential use.

In view of this unequal treatment in providing port facilities, and since it so far appears impossible for vessels carrying the United States flag to obtain facilities for their exclusive or preferential use in the ports of Argentina, my government has requested me to discuss this matter with Your Excellency in the usual spirit of friendship and collaboration with the object of determining if a more advantageous arrangement for American vessels in the ports of Argentina may be arranged.

I avail myself [etc.]

[
James Bruce
]