Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1938, The American Republics, Volume V

611.2331/91a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Peru (Steinhardt)

Washington, March 12, 1938—2 p.m.

11. The Department understands that since December 1934, Peru has extended to Spain the tariff concessions granted to Chile in the modus vivendi of 1932¹² and later embodied in the Treaty of 1934.¹³ Please refer to Embassy’s despatch No. 3945 of May 3, 1935.¹⁴

If you find the Department’s understanding is correct and such extension of concessions to Spain still continues, it would seem desirable to refer to this situation in case the Foreign Minister is disposed to reach the conclusion that Peru could not extend to this country the tariff concessions granted to Chile.

If the Department’s understanding is correct, Peruvian concessions to Chile have been extended to Spain on the same basis, i. e., most-favored-nation treatment, as would be expected by this Government in connection with a trade agreement with Peru.

In the event of a favorable response by the Foreign Minister to the basis for trade-agreement negotiations as set forth in the Department’s instructions No. 48 of December 31, and No. 83 of March 3, please inform the Department by telegram, in order that preparatory work here may be accelerated.

Hull

12. Signed October 31, 1932, Chile, Tratados Internacionales de la República de Chile (Santiago, 1935).
13. Peru, Tratados (Lima, 1936), vol. i, p. 214.
14. Not printed.