The Washington times., 1902-10-19
FREE INTERCHANGE OF
CONSULATE SUPPLIES
Treasury Tells of Official
Relations.

General Spaulding, Assistant Secre-
tary of the Treasury, has issued cir
cular letter to officers of the customs
and others stating the department. at
titude toward free entry of articles and
supplies sent by foreign governments
to their agents in this country for Off
cial use in connection with their office.
The circular follows:
Article 416 of the customs regulations
of 1899 provides that the free entry OF
articles sent by foreign government,
for its use. to an agent in this coun-
try. will be granted on application made
through the Department of State ane
this article being based on the principle
of reciprocity in the extension of the
privilege. the Secretary of State was re-
quested to ascertain and advise this de-
partment as to the course pursued D,
| the governments of the countries having
| consular representatives in the United
States regarding the free admission of
official supplies for United States con-
sular officers in such countries.
Countries 0mitting Duty.
1T is now ascertained that the gov-
ernments of Argentina. China, Colombia,
Costa Rica Dominican republic, Ecua
dor. France Great Britain, Italy, Haiti,
Honduras, Korea. Liberia, Mexico. Mica
ragua, Paraguay, Persia, Portugal, SaK 4
Salvador, Siam, Spain, Switzerland. Tur-
key, Venezuela. and Uruguay allow free
80 al ;,1
sular officers in those countries; that |
the government of Greece assesses duty |
on all official supplies sent for the use |
Of consular officers in that country, ex
cept that the United States consul at
Athens can obtain official supplies free
of duty by obtaining a permit signed by
the United States minister; that the
government of Austria Hungary admits
free of duty shields, flags, official seals
and the like that the government of
Belgium admits free consular emblems
such as flags, seals, coats of arms, and
other articles of the same kind that
duties are collected on all official sup
plies for United States consular officers
In Germany, with the exception Of en-
blems, such as coats of arms and flags: ,
that the governments of Sweden and
Norway admit free flags, coats OF arms.
books and printed matter, il imported :
for the exclusive use of the consulates;' Z
and that the government of the Neither
lands admits free of duty flags and
only. 1t is also ascertained :
hat the governments of Bolivia, Chile, .
Denmark, Japan. Peru, Roumania. Rus
'ia. and Servia do not allow the free en-
ry of supplies of any kind sent by this :
Government to its consular representa- .
ives in those countries.
Free Entry Denied.
lied of all official supplies imported for
he consular representatives in this
country of the governments of Bolivia,
lille, Denmark, Japan, Peru, Roumania.
russia, and Servia, and in case of the :
OF supplies for consular :
representatives. of the governments of I
ther countries, the question of the free
ntry thereof will be considered by this :
apartment only upon application made :.
through the Department of State I
Article ATS of the customs regula-
ions of 1899 aforesaid is hereby amend :
to read as follows: Free entry OF :
rticles sent by any foreign government, !
or its use, to an agent in this country
ill be granted on application made to :
ne Department of State. except in the :.
ase of countries the governments of {
hich deny free entry of official SUD. / .
lies sent by this Government for the :
Sc of its consular representatives In 3
uch countries ,