The system proposed by the government, of an excise character, is a new
one for this country, and will have an important influence on this
branch of the commerce of some countries, in the article of tobacco
produced in this empire. I believe there is very little exported to the
United States, and yet the subject is one of interest to the mercantile
community in general.
[Inclosure No. 1—Translation.]
Server Pacha to
Mr. Brown.
Sublime
Porte, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
December 27,
1871.
Sir: I have the honor to bring to your
knowledge that, in virtue of a recent imperial iredet, (sanction,) the Sublime Porte proposes to supplant
by an excise system (rëjie) the former mode of taxation still in
force for tobacco.
On taking this resolution, the imperial government feels itself
authorized by the example of most of the other European governments,
as well as by the interests of the cultivation of this plant, and
the imperfections and difficulties inherent to the present duties
thereon.
In place and stead of the divers duties now in use, the state,
hereafter, becomes the purchaser of every kind of tobacco produced
on the soil of the empire. For this purpose, commissions of
estimations will be appointed, composed of capable individuals,
one-half of whom will be named by the government and the other half
by the owners, whose business it will be to fix on the spot the
saleable prices of the tobacco, according to the list of qualities,
or the particular quality of each article offered for sale to the
government. By the mode of operation thus laid down the dime will be retained, and
[Page 671]
the rest he immediately given over
into the hands of the proprietor by the functionary of the
administration, who will then take possession of the product, so as
to dispose of it for his own account, conformably with the
dispositions of the regulation which will be drawn up on this
point.
In putting thus into practice, with regard to one of the most
legitimate matters, principles which experience has everywhere
consecrated, the imperial government is, also, certain to protect
the interest of the cultivators and of the tobacco, and likewise not
to effect in the least the rights and interests of foreign
commerce.
The commercial treaties which establish that tobacco may not be
subjected to any export duty stipulate in favor of the treasury
special reserves with regard to internal legislation. Moreover, the
measures adopted by the greater part of European states place this
product under an administration of general monopoly, derogatory to
the freedom of commerce, of an international character.
Nevertheless, the interest of agriculture in a country producing
tobacco such as Turkey, offers opposition to any measure having a
tendency to diminish the exportation of this article to foreign
countries. The interests of the treasury being thus in harmony with
those of foreign commerce, the imperial government has decided that
for all that concerns tobacco destined to be exported to foreign
lands, merchants desirous of exporting it may always procure the
quantities needed by them at the cost prices of the excise,
(rëjie.)
Under these conditions the imperial government hopes to be able,
soon, to realize resources both new and important, by means of a
measure which, while it does not produce any prejudice to
agriculture, and no perturbation to foreign commerce, is destined to
receive everywhere a favorable reception.
I hope soon to be able to communicate to you the regulations, which
are at the present moment being drawn up on the subject. In the mean
time, I have deemed it useful to make you accquainted with these new
conditions which will be applied to the commerce of tobacco in
Turkey, and to prevent any erroneous interpretations which might be
given to the intentions of the imperial government, especially with
regard to the interests of foreign commerce.
Accept, sir, assurances of my perfect consideration.
