[Inclosure in No.
282.]
Mr. Buck to
Mr. Eliaa.
Legation of the United States,
Lima, August 27, 1887.
No. 55.]
Sir: Under an act of Congress approved
Juno 19, 1886, a reduction was made in the tonnage tax of 30
cents per ton per annum, formerly collected, and instead, a duty
of 3 cents per ton is imposed, not to exceed in the aggregate 15
cents per ton in any one year on each entry of vessels into
United States ports from all foreign ports and places in North
America, Central America, the West India Islands, or the coast
of South America bordering on the Caribbean Sea. This, it may be
observed, has been considered as applying to a geographical
zone, not involving a test of flag; while on vessels from all
other foreign ports a duty of 6 cents per ton is imposed on each
entry, not to exceed 30 cents per ton per annum in the
aggregate, and not, however, to include vessels in distress or
not engaged, in trade.
[Page 1952]
It is also provided in the same act that the President of the
United States shall suspend the collection of so much of the
duty imposed on vessels entering from any foreign port as may be
in excess of the tonnage and lighthouse dues, or other
equivalent tax or taxes imposed in said port on American vessels
by the Government of the foreign country in which such port may
be situated, and shall, as often as it may be necessary by
reason of changes in the laws of foreign countries, indicate by
proclamation the ports to which such suspension shall apply, and
the rate or rates of tonnage duty, if any, to be collected under
such suspension: Provided, That such
proclamation shall exclude from the benefits of such suspension
the vessels of any foreign country in whose ports the fees or
dues of any kind or nature imposed on vessels of the United
States or the import or export duties on their cargoes are in
excess of the fees, dues, or duties imposed on the vessels of
the country in which such port is situated, or on the cargoes of
such vessels.
The President, under the law, is directed to cause the
Governments of foreign countries which, at any of their ports
impose on American vessels a tonnage tax or lighthouse dues, or
other equivalent tax or taxes, or any other fees, charges, or
dues, to be informed of the provisions of the relevant section
of said law, and to invite them to cooperate with the Government
of the United States in abolishing all lighthouse dues, tonnage
taxes, or other equivalent tax or taxes on and also all other
fees for official services to the vessels of the respective
nations employed in the trade between ports of such countries
and ports of the United States.
It will be seen that the provisions of the law referred to are
broad enough to cover either a reduction or a complete
abrogation by reciprocal action, of tonnage and equivalent
charges on navigation; and it is open to any foreign country in
all or any of whose ports a less charge is made than that now
imposed in the ports of the United States to obtain forthwith a
reduction of the charge in the United States on vessels from
such port or ports, to an equality with that levied in the port
or ports designated.
In view of these facts I am directed to invite the Government of
Peru to cooperate with the United States toward the contemplated
ends.
The intent of the present invitation is to deal, on the basis of
reciprocity, without reference to geographical limits. In order
that the statutory provisions may be fully understood, in case
this explanation may seem in any way inadequate, I inclose a
copy of the law with the sections marked to which I have
referred.
I am further instructed to ascertain whether in the ports of Peru
or in any dependency thereof, any discrimination exists against
vessels of the United States as compared with the vessels of
Peru (other than those engaged in coasting trade), or of any
other country, and if so, the precise nature and extent of such
discrimination; in order that the Government of the United
States may determine how far shipping of Peru is to be
restricted or excluded from the privileges created under the
existing laws, or under arrangements of reciprocity if effected
under the authorization of this indicated statute.
Both in thus communicating this invitation and in seeking the
information just mentioned I desire to convey the fullest
assurances to your excellency of the entire frieudliness of the
action of my Government, and of its desire to treat the commerce
and flag of Peru on the footing of the most complete reciprocity
in those matters to which the invitation relates.
Presenting herewith, etc.,