660i.116/21a

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Estonia (Carlson)

No. 12

Sir: The Department refers to the Confidential Weekly Economic Report dated July 7, 1934,2 prepared in the consular section of your office and more particularly to the section thereof beginning on page 4 which reads as follows:

“Discrimination in Administration of Import Restrictions.

“The Tallinn Consulate in an effort to secure information concerning the administration of the existing import restrictions—import licenses and foreign exchange control—has come to the conclusion that U. S. A. products are being discriminated against. The Consulate is not able to prove the above assertion. In its conversations with the officials in charge of the above activities, it was assured that such discriminations were not being made. The importers to whom inquiries were addressed, maintained that the authorities are making a definite effort to direct the country’s import trade to England and to France, whenever possible, and to divert commerce away from the United States, Germany and the Scandinavian countries. Interested dealers and agents report that U. S. A. products are growing in favor because of current low prices due to exchange conditions and because of superior quality. They say, however, that present Estonian trade policies interfere with trade dealings with the U. S. A.”

You are requested to submit promptly a complete report on the present treatment by the Estonian authorities of American trade, setting forth in detail all the factors which occasioned the above statement by the Estonian Consulate. Your report should furnish the Department with specific information with regard to the allegation made by Estonian importers that the Estonian authorities are interfering in foreign trade with a view to directing to other countries the purchase of commodities formerly obtained from the United States. Such information will enable the Department to take appropriate steps to protect American commerce with Estonia.

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Information with regard to alleged discrimination against American trade should not be reported in the Confidential Weekly Economic Report but should, in compliance with standing instructions, be reported promptly in a special despatch to the Department.

Very truly yours,

For the Secretary of State:
R. Walton Moore
  1. Not printed.