611.5131/930
The Ambassador in France (Edge) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 23.]
Sir: I have the honor to recall that in my despatch No. 2937 of September 20, 1932,76 it was stated that as the result of a conference which took place on September 17 between the American and French representatives it was hoped that some important concessions under the present French film regulations might be made to the American industry. After long delay on the part of the French authorities, a second conference was at last arranged on December 2 between Mr. Allport, the Commercial Attaché of this Embassy, and M. Mistier, Under Secretary of State for Fine Arts.
The conference was disappointing in that the attitude shown by M. Mistier had, in the interim, undergone a decided change. The Under Secretary was no longer disposed to agree to any of the modifications previously suggested by the American Embassy or otherwise to attempt to relieve the difficulties that the American film trade has experienced as the result of existing regulations. Although no explanation for this change of front was offered by M. Mistier, it is in line with other difficulties and delays recently experienced in approaching other commercial problems.
For the more complete information of the Department I enclose, in triplicate, copies of a memorandum on this subject,76 prepared by the Commercial Attaché. The Department of Commerce has already been advised in the sense of Mr. Allport’s communication.
Respectfully yours,