681.003/81: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier (Blake)

12. Supplementing Department’s No. 11, November 14, 6 p.m., in connection with statement in third paragraph to the effect that we [Page 861] would rather see, in case some modification of the present régime becomes necessary, a reasonable increase in the customs rates for revenue purposes, et cetera, it is suggested that you call Ponsot’s particular attention to the customs situation existing at Casablanca as reported in letter of June 4, 1934, addressed to you from Buhrman,31 in which it is alleged that some American merchandise imported into Morocco is paying as much as 50 percent duty as a result of alleged arbitrary assessments by the Protectorate customs officials. It should be made clear to Ponsot that any consideration by this Government of an increase in the customs rates would be contingent upon cessation of such practices.

Phillips
  1. Parker W. Buhrman, Consul at Casablanca.