FRANCE INFORMAL REPRESENTATIONS TO THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT WITH RESPECT TO DISCRIMINATORY RESTRICTIONS ON THE IMPORTATION OF NITRATES-Con. Date and number 1931 Nov. 23 (785) Nov. 23 (590) Nov. 25 (802) Subject Page From the Chargé in France (tel.) 264 Information that Norway and possibly Chile will protest payment of contributions, now fairly certain to be required of nitrate interests, but that Germany has agreed; request for Department's attitude as to a formal protest. To the Chargé in France (tel.) 265 Instructions to make no formal protest. From the Chargé in France (tel.) 265 Dec. 30 (671) Dec. 31 (914) Confirmation that U. S., Chilean, and reportedly Norwegian interests were refused licenses upon declining to pay contributions. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) Position of Barrett Co. that it did not receive equality of treatment in recent nitrate contracts, but that it desires to compete for next purchase. Instructions to endeavor to obtain fair commercial opportunity for the company. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) Facts concerning treatment received by Barrett Co., and conclusion that responsibility for company's failure to negotiate would seem to rest directly with the company. Assurance of Embassy's cooperation in connection with future purchases. 265 266 EXTENSION OF CUSTOMS IMMUNITIES TO AMERICAN RELIGIOUS AND PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTIONS IN SYRIA AND THE LEBANON 1928 Aug. 30 Dec. 11 (2994) From the American Consul General at Beirut to the Chief of the To the Chargé in France Review of discussions and proposals at Beirut on customs immunities for American philanthropic institutions and their personnel, and instructions to discuss the matter with the Foreign Office, suggesting Department's willingness to consider a plan similar to Consul General Knabenshue's if Italy is also agreeable. 267 268 1929 Aug. 22 From the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs to the American 269 Disinclination of Foreign Ministry to consider regulations in customs matters incompatible with assurances of M. Poincaré's note of November 2, 1923. Sept. 6 (9819) From the Chargé in France 271 Conversation with Foreign Office official concerning the conditional agreement of Knabenshue and French authorities at Beirut. Sept. 24 (4258) To the Chargé in France 272 Instructions to express to the Foreign Office the hope for their further consideration of Mr. Knabenshue's proposals. FRANCE EXTENSION OF CUSTOMS IMMUNITIES TO AMERICAN RELIGIOUS AND PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTIONS IN SYRIA AND THE LEBANON-Continued Date and number 1930 June 6 (469) 1931 Mar. 12 (153) Mar. 13 (1336) Apr. 20 From the Consul at Beirut Subject Conversation with the Chief of the Diplomatic Bureau of the High Commission, who said that his office had been instructed in the customs matter by the French Foreign Office but had asked for clarification. From the Consul at Beirut Information from the Chief of the Diplomatic Bureau of the High Commission that the French Government has accepted the U. S. point of view on unlimited customs exemption of U. S. institutions under the Poincaré-Herrick agreement, but has yet to draw up suitable regulations; also that steps are being taken to refund duties previously paid by institutions. From the Chargé in France Transmittal of note from Foreign Office which advised of Verification of settlement of the customs question in accord- GERMANY Page 273 274 278 279 MORATORIUM ON GERMAN PAYMENTS UNDER THE GERMAN-AMERICAN DEBT AGREEMENT OF JUNE 23, 1930 1931 July 16 (214) July 30 (281) Aug. 3 (291) To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) For Gibson: Observation that German obligations for army of occupation costs fall within President Hoover's debt moratorium proposals but that German-American Debt Agreement does not; opinion of Treasury that there is no difference in the character of claims covered by German payments under the debt agreement and of U. S. payments awarded to German nationals by Mixed Claims Commission. Instructions to take up matter with Committee of Experts with a view to securing their consent to the continuation of the two latter classes of payments. (Footnote: Information that Hugh S. Gibson, Ambassador to Belgium, was in London as American observer at the London Conference of Experts, held July 17-August 11.) From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) From Gibson: Information that British and French representatives have no objection but the latter wishes to consult the French Finance Minister before the matter is brought up before the Committee. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Transmittal of American delegation's memorandum presented to the Committee (text printed), stating U. S. desire for postponement of German obligations for occupation costs but for continuation of payment of German-American Mixed Claims awards. 280 281 282 GERMANY MORATORIUM ON GERMAN PAYMENTS UNDER THE German-American DEBT AGREEMENT OF JUNE 23, 1930-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1931 Aug. 12 (503) From the Chargé in France (tel.) Information that French Finance Minister does not agree to non-postponement of payments under the German-American Claims Agreement, and that Foreign Office will probably indicate this attitude formally. 283 Aug. 12 (399) To the Chargé in France (tel.) 283 Instructions to urge French reconsideration of decision, pointing out advantages to Germany. Aug. 12 (505) From the Chargé in France (tel.) 285 Transmittal of note (text printed) giving Foreign Office's objections to non-postponement. Aug. 13 (400) To the Chargé in France (tel.) 286 Observations in reply to the French note. Aug. 19 (516) From the Chargé in France (tel.) 287 Aug. 28 (423) Sept. 2 (558) Sept. 4 (562) Sept. 9 (440) Sept. 23 Conversation with Finance Minister, who saw no possibility of defending the proposal before Parliament; his suggestion that some other plan be worked out to allow Germany the advantage of the excess payments. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) Instructions to discuss the matter personally with Prime Minister Laval, and to suggest, if the French Government manifests a desire for a solution, that the U. S. Government is ready to consider the French suggestion in any practicable form enabling the whole body of claims to be discharged. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) Proposal of Laval (text printed) for delayed payment to U. S. claimants, which would, in his opinion, involve only the interpretation of U. S. law. Opinion that further representations would not change French position. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) Transmittal of note to Laval (text printed) advising of U. S. Instructions to advise French Government of Treasury's From the Secretary of the Treasury Reply to Department's notification of German postponement, and request that German Ambassador be advised the required advance notice is waived respecting payment due September 30 and that the Treasury will recommend postponement of payments for occupation costs due during the fiscal year 1931-1932. 288 290 291 292 292 GERMANY NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE SALE OF SURPLUS AMERICAN WHEAT AND COTTON TO STRENGTHEN THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF GERMANY Date and number 1931 July 16 (123) July 20 (126) July 21 (139) July 22 (130) July 24 (147) July 31 (155) Aug. 1 (146) Subject To the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Information that the Department has formulated a possible plan for the sale on credit at low interest of surplus wheat and cotton to Germany through the Farm Board in order to give material assistance to the German Government and people. Request for expression of opinion. To the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Desire that the Ambassador approach some German official with the suggestion, as if it were his own, that a proposal might be arranged along lines set forth in telegram No. 123; advisability that initiative in the proposal be taken by German Government. From the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Account of conversation with the Minister of Agriculture. Opinion that wheat sale would benefit Germany but that Department's plan regarding cotton might be more of a hindrance than a help to German finances. To the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Suggestion on deliveries of goods and changed viewpoint on prices; belief that German credit would be strengthened by the transaction. Instructions to express to the German Government the opinion that upon its inquiry something might be worked out on the lines indicated. From the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Conference with Government officials but opinion that any decision will await a satisfactory conference with Chancellor Bruening; information that a fixed price on cotton presents difficulties because of daily competition. From the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Conference, in the presence of Bruening, with Acting Minister of Economics and Minister of Agriculture, the latter stating that requirements of imported wheat would be reduced in view of increased domestic production; request for additional price data. To the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Transmittal of statement to the press (text printed) in view of reports of the negotiations from Berlin; instructions to inform the German Government that further negotiation is the province of the Farm Board, which would deal with an appointed German agent. From the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Page 293 295 296 298 299 300 301 Aug. 4 (157) 302 Effects of the release of news on cotton and wheat transaction in Berlin and elsewhere; information that German Government has no one available in the United States to act as agent but desires to continue discussions in Berlin. Aug. 5 (159) From the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Transmittal of German proposal on cotton (text printed) not providing minimum or maximum price but with alternatives for price fixing; information that the German Government is preparing a proposal on wheat. 302 GERMANY NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE SALE OF SURPLUS AMERICAN WHEAT AND COTTON TO STRENGTHEN THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF GERMANY-Continued 1931 Aug. 7 (148) Aug. 7 (150) Aug. 8 (163) Aug. 10 (166) To the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Advice that German proposition has been sent to the Farm Board without comment but that it is apparently impossible for the Board to accept without a minimum price; that it appears necessary for Germany to appoint an agent, possibly the German Consul in New York. To the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Advice that Farm Board has turned down German proposal on cotton, giving out explanatory statement (text printed). From the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Information that Foreign Office has been informed of Department's views on the appointment of an agent, and as it is hopeful of doing business in both wheat and cotton will take the matter up with the Chancellor. From the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Receipt of Germany's proposal on wheat and suggestion by the Embassy that it be reconsidered by the German Government, as it contained no provision for maximum and minimum prices; possibility_that_German Government will appoint agents and that Farm Board will be able to insist on the condition of maximum and minimum prices. Page 304 305 306 307 Sept. 3 Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State 307 Sept. 11 Memorandum by the Economic Adviser 308 Conversation with the First Secretary of the German Embassy concerning points of difference on wheat, and ascertainment that Farm Board would agree on financial guarantee and that Germans would give in on price; arrangements for signature of necessary papers. OPPOSITION IN Germany to THE SHOWING OF THE MOTION PICTURE "ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT" 1930 Dec. 17 (654) From the Ambassador in Germany 1931 Mar. 11 (26) Details of the decision of Appellate Board of Film Censors prohibiting further showing of "All Quiet on the Western Front," and controversial newspaper comments; indications that National Socialist Party instigated demonstrations and used the picture as a political issue, dealing a blow to Government prestige. From the Ambassador in Germany (tel.) Report of resolution, passed by the Reichstag during withdrawal of Hugenberg Nationalists and Nazis, declaring prohibiting of "All Quiet on the Western Front" unjustifiable. Reasons for opinion that showing at present time would cause unfortunate repercussions. 309 314 |