641.67n3/10
The Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 9.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my telegram No. 251, August 31, 2 p.m., in which I set forth the substance of what my Italian colleague advised me relative to the action of his Government in the question of unilateral preference to imports from Palestine. In advising me of the above, my Italian colleague added that in so far as the British Import Duty Act of 1932 was concerned he felt that it was merely an internal law which consequently could not operate to change the accepted principles of international law contained in the Treaty of 1883 between Great Britain and Italy,24 granting the most-favored-nation treatment.
In conclusion, my Italian colleague asked if I would inquire what action my Government had taken in this matter and advise him as a courtesy, in view of the information he had given me. I accordingly venture to request that the necessary information be furnished me.
Respectfully yours,
- Treaty of Commerce and Navigation, June 15, 1883, British and Foreign State Papers, vol. lxxiv, p. 63.↩