611.1431/77
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Guatemala (Hanna)
Sir: The receipt is acknowledged of your despatch No. 381 of October 10, 1934, reporting the desire of the Guatemalan Minister for Foreign Affairs to have included in the proposed trade agreement between the United States and Guatemala provision for the assistance of the United States Government in suppressing the entry into the United States of contraband chicle.
In this regard, the Department is giving consideration to the possibility of meeting the wishes of the Guatemalan Government in this matter by means of certificates of origin on chicle imported into this country. You will be notified in due course as to whether or not it is found possible to agree to an arrangement along these lines. Meanwhile, you may wish to suggest informally to the Foreign Minister that he include this proposal on the list of desired concessions which it is presumed the Guatemalan Government is preparing for submission to this Government as a preliminary to the negotiations for a trade agreement.
Very truly yours,