SUPPLEMENT E-Continued.

PAPERS RELATING TO DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF TONNAGE DUES-Continued.

1868

1809

1871

1872

1873

1874

1874

SUPPLEMENT E-Continued.

PAPERS RELATING TO DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF TONNAGE DUES-Continued.

1887.

Correspondence with the Legation of Germany at
Washington-Continued.

Acknowledges Mr. von Alvensleben's note of
February 16; states that it will receive consid-

eration.

Refers to act of June 19, 1886; states that while
intended to be based on reciprocity, the idea is
not logically carried out; the countries to which
the three-fifteenths rate is granted may charge
more than that rate on American vessels in their
ports, but Germany is obliged to show that her
rate of tonnage duty is below the six-thirtieths
rate in order to obtain a reduction from that
rate; alleges that this is in contravention of the
favored nation" clause of the Prussian treaty
with the United States; declines to accept the
reasoning of Mr. Bayard's note of November 7,
1885, and asks for a further reply.

Acknowledges the minister's note of March 15,
previous, requesting, under the "favored na-
tion clause of the treaty with Portugal, the
same favors for vessels coming from ports of
Portugal as were granted under the President's
proclamation of January 31 last to vessels from
ports of Mexico and Central America; quotes
opinion of Secretary of the Treasury; desires
information as to amounts of tonnage duties lev-
ied by Portugal.

Same reply made to the minister's note of March
15 as that made in Mr. Bayard's note to the
Belgian minister of November 7.

SWEDEN AND NORWAY.

20 Mr. Porter to Mr. Magee Aug. 5 Asks whether there is any difference in the rates (No. 49).

of tonnage dues charged in the ports of Sweden
and in the ports of Norway; shows that at one
time the rate was adjusted in the ports of Nor-
way on a geographical basis, and states that the
United States claimed the most favorable rate
under Article VIII of the treaty of 1827, and
that their claim was conceded.

Incloses translation of sections of the ordinances of
Sweden and of Norway relating to tonnage ducs;
gives the classification adopted in Norway in
1827, which is still in force.

1876

1877

1878

1880

1881

1882

1883

1884

SUPPLEMENT E-Continued.

PAPERS RELATING TO DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF TONNAGE DUES-Continued.

Oct.

4

June 30

Dec. 20

Dec. 20

SWEDEN AND NORWAY-continued.

Correspondence with the Legation of Sweden and
Norway at Washington.

Claims that the benefit of lower tonnage dues on
vessels coming from certain regions to ports of
the United States, granted under section 14 of
the acts of June 26, 1884, should be extended,
under Article VIII of the treaty of July 4, 1827,
to vessels coming from ports of Sweden and
Norway.

Restates claim made in his note of June 17,
whether the reduction is based on geographical
situation of the countries favored or on their na-
tionality, makes no difference as regards the
claim of Sweden and Norway.
Acknowledges note of June 17, and makes same
reply as that made to the Belgian minister in
note of November 7.

States that Mr. Bayard's note of November 7 does
not answer his of October 4; Sweden and Nor-
way do not make their claim under the "favored
nation" clause, but under Article VIII of the
treaty of 1827; again submits claim.

Requests an answer to his notes of June 17 and
October 4, 1885.

Acknowledges notes of June 17, October 4, and
November 11, 1885; insists that section 14 of the
act of June 26, 1884, does not conflict with Arti-
cle VIII of the treaty of 1827; when Sweden
and Norway have acceded to the terms of the
act of 1884 they can enjoy the benefits thereof.
Protests against the decision of the United States
Government; reserves right to communicate
further arguments under the instruction of his
Government.

Incloses copy of instruction to him from the
Swedish minister of foreign affairs, insisting
that, under the favored nation" clause, and
under Article VIII of the treaty of 1827, Swe-
dish, Norwegian, and American vessels sailing
from ports of Sweden and Norway to the United
states, should be entitled to the 3-15 rate of ton-
nage duty; argument of the question.
Under instruction of his Government, protests
against act of June 19, 1886, as in contravention
of treaty of 1827, inasmuch as in certain cases it
favors American vessels as compared with Swe
dish and Norwegian; also protests against it as
maintaining the position taken by the United
States on the question of tonnage duties, a
position which his Government can not accept.
Acknowledges note of June 30 from Mr. de Reu-
terskiöld; Count Ehrensvärd has confused
"navigation" and "commerce"; Sweden and
Norway can only claim privilege under Article
VIII for their own vessels; it could not be al-
lowed under the law to American vessels, and
the Swedish construction of Article VIII would
favor Swedish and Norwegian vessels at the
expense of American; declines to admit this
claim.

Acknowledges Mr. Reuterskiöld's note of No-
vember 15; states that he has not shown wherein
the acts of June 26, 1884, and June 19, 1886, favor
United States vessels more than Swedish and
Norwegian; admits that the act of 1886
does not grant the 3-15 rate of tonnage duty to
Swedish and Norwegian vessels coming from
ports of Sweden and Norway, but neither does
it grant it to American vessels coming from those
ports; insists that it is based on the correct
principle.

1887

1888

1888

1889

1890

1890

1891

1892

1894

1895

1898

34 Mr. Bayard to Mr. Reuterskiöld.

35 Same to same.

SUPPLEMENT E-Continued.

PAPERS RELATING TO DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF TONNAGE DUES-Continued.

No.

From and to whom.

Date.

Subject.

Page.

SWEDEN AND NORWAY-continued.
Correspondence with the Legation of Sweden and
Norway at Washington-Continued.
Incloses copies of correspondence between the
United States and Sweden and Norway in 1828 in
which the former demanded the lowest rate of
tonnage duty charged in the ports of Norway,
where a discrimination was made on a geo-
graphical basis; the demand was conceded by
Sweden and Norway, and the construction of
Article VIII of the treaty of 1827 was admitted
to be what the Swedish Government has main-
tained throughout the present correspondence;
he presumes the Government of the United
States will abide by that construction and ad-
mit the justness of the claim of Sweden and
Norway.

Incloses copies of the correspondence passed be-
tween the Department and the Swedish lega-
tion; asks whether the Treasury can grant the
3-15 rate to Swedish and Norwegian vessels
sailing from ports of Sweden and Norway.
Acknowledges Mr. Bayard's letter of June 2; has
referred matter to Commissioner of Naviga
tion, whose decision is final; incloses report
from latter stating that under the law the 3-15
rate can not be granted in the case in question.

States that the discriminating tonnage duty levied
in Norway in favor of vessels trading with ports
in the White Sea and Arctic Ocean has been
abolished; asks that Congress shall remedy the
conflict between Article VIII of the treaty of
1827 and the act of June 26, 1884.
States that the matter will be communicated by
the President to Congress.

1900

1905

1905

1907

1908

41

42

43

PART II.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE ABOLITION OF TONNAGE DUES.

1887. Mr. Bayard to United States July 9 ministers (circular).

1888.

Mr. Roosevelt to Mr. Bay. Apr. 7 ard (No. 51).

1887.

Extract from an act of Congress "to abolish cer-
tain fees for official services to American ves-
sels," etc.; the- Government to be invited
to co-operate; the act broad enough to effect a
reduction or abolition of tonnage dues; a coun-
try in which charges are less than in the United
States may obtain a reduction, e. g., the Nether
lands; the invitation extended to all countries;
report to be made as to whether there is any
discrimination against United States vessels in
the ports of; proclamation of the President
removing duties on vessels from ports of the
Netherlands, and acts of Congress, public No.
67, of June 26, 1884, and No. 85, of June 19, 1886,
inclosed.

AUSTRIA.

Austria declines to co-operate in the abolition of
tonnage dues, owing to the reduction in her port
dues which would result from the necessary
extension of the same treatment to all "most
favored" nations; translation of Mr. Szöch-
yeny's note inclosed.

BELGIUM.

Mr. Tree to Mr. Bayard Aug. 18 Department's circular of July 9, 1887, communi(No. 251).

1909

1919

1920

cated to the Prince de Chimay in a note, of which
copy is inclosed; will ascertain and report in
regard to discrimination.

SUPPLEMENT E-Continued.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE ABOLITION OF TONNAGE DUES-Continued.

45 Mr. Denby to Mr. Bayard Sept. 8 Dispatch communicating Department's circular (No. 450).

1922

1923

of July 9, 1887, to the Yamen being translated
into Chinese; the subject of discrimination
will be examined into.

1888. 48 Mr. Anderson to Mr. Bay- Feb. 24 ard (No. 208).

Department's circular of July 9, 1887, communi-
cated to the Danish minister in a note; copy of
note and translation of answer inclosed.

49 Same to same (No. 209)...... Feb. 25 Department's circular of July 9, 1887, made the

subject of two notes; the reply received from
the Danish minister in answer to the first in re-
gard to discrimination in tonnage dues; none yet
received in regard to their proposed abolition;
efforts to effect their abolition reported as being
made: Count Sponneck instructed as to the po-
sition of the Danish Government.

FRANCE.

Mr. Flourens has submitted the propositions in
Department's circular of July 9, 1887, to his col-
leagues, and will communicate their opinion;
he desires three more copies of the circular.

GERMANY.

Department's circular of July 9, 1887, communi-
cated to the German minister; United States
Consul General von Versen reports that there
is no discrimination in Germany against United
States vessels; note to Count Berchem inclosed.
Correspondence with the legation of Germany at
Washington.

No tounage or equivalent tax levied on United
States vessels, and no discrimination against
them in German ports; the issuance of a proc-
lamation by the President suspending the col-
lection of tonnage taxes on vessels from Ger-
man ports requested; rights and privileges
heretofore claimed with regard to the treatment
of German vessels in United States ports re-
served; return of taxes collected on German
shipping since June 19, 1886, requested.
The President will at once issue a proclamation
suspending the collection of tonnage dues on
vessels from German ports; the requested re-
turn of tonnage dues collected since June 19,
1886, reserved for consideration.
Printed copies of the President's proclamation
suspending the collection of tonnege dues on
vessels from German ports inclosed.
Duties again collected on the Saale at New York
on her arrival from Bremen; requests that the
authorities be instructed that their action is in
contravention of the President's proclamation;
papers inclosed.

1925

1927

1927

1927

1929

1930

1930

1931