835.1561/11–1047
The Ambassador in Argentina (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
No. 3193
Buenos Aires, November 10,
1947.
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
Buenos Aires, October 9,
1947.
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.]
