102.1702/137
The British Ambassador (Howard) to
the Secretary of State
Washington, March 31,
1925.
[Received April 2.]
No. 329
My Dear Mr. Secretary: With reference to our
conversation of the 28th instant respecting the appointment of Treasury
or Customs Attachés to United States Embassies abroad,34 I have the honour to enclose herewith, as you
requested, a memorandum on the subject which explains the views of His
Majesty’s Government and the objections they entertain to such officers
having diplomatic status and privileges.
Believe me [etc.]
[Page 212]
[Enclosure]
The British Embassy
to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire
On January 13th, 1925 an Act of the 68th Congress, identified under
the number H. R. 9076, providing for the organization of the United
States Customs Service was approved.35 Amongst other things, the Act authorizes
the Secretary of the Treasury to appoint such number of “Customs
Attachés” for duty in foreign countries and of Customs agents as he
may deem necessary, all of whom shall perform their duties as
defined by existing law or prescribed by the Secretary of the
Treasury, under the immediate supervision of the director, special
agency service of the Customs: “Provided, that any officer of the
Customs Service designated by the Secretary of the Treasury for
foreign service shall, through the Department of State, be regularly
and officially attached to the diplomatic mission of the United
States in the countries in which they are to be stationed.”
His Britannic Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs has taken note of the provisions of this law. He understands
that, so far as the Act relates to United States Customs agents
stationed abroad, its purpose is to regulate their selection and to
bring their activities and methods under closer and more responsible
control. Mr. Chamberlain assumes, however, that it is not intended
by the United States Government to give to these officers a
diplomatic status or to ask foreign Governments to afford
recognition to them as diplomatic officers. From recent
conversations and correspondence in London and in Washington, Mr.
Kellogg will be aware that His Majesty’s Government felt obliged, as
long ago as June, 1923, to raise objections to the activities of
these officers in British territory in so far as those activities
involved enquiries into costs of production. Mr. Chamberlain feels
confident that the Secretary of State will agree with him that the
activities of Customs or other revenue investigators cannot be
regarded as falling within the scope of diplomatic duties.
