Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The British Commonwealth, Europe, Near East and Africa, Volume II

841.4061 Motion Pictures/70: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson)

Washington, November 29, 1937—7 p.m.

468. Department’s 318, July 23.⁸⁹ You will note from our 318 that the motion picture question was placed rather squarely before the British Embassy here. Up to the present time we have not, however, felt that we should do much more than assist the industry in presenting to the British Government the views of that industry. However, we do not feel that there could have been or should have been any doubts in the minds of the British Government with regard to our interest in this particular industry. Recent developments have caused us certain uneasiness with regard to this matter. It was for that reason that Mr. Sayre spoke to the British Ambassador on November 20 (see our 455, November 21⁹⁰). Hays⁹¹ now informs us that Stanley is insisting that the various committee reports be brought into open discussion in Parliament tomorrow. These reports are understood to contain recommendations which have been consistently opposed by the American industry. In view of the fact that trade agreement negotiations have now been announced and in view of the fact that motion pictures is an important item to be discussed during the negotiations we feel that the situation has reached such a stage as to warrant a presentation of representations to the British Government. Such representations might be made along the following lines:

“In submitting, at the British Government’s request, a tentative list of non-Ottawa items upon which the United States Government would seek concessions in the coming trade agreement negotiations my Government included motion pictures. Because of the importance of the industry and the magnitude of the trade my Government considers motion pictures to be one of the important items for future discussion. New legislation now under consideration would materially alter the status quo with regard to the treatment accorded by the British Government to this particular industry. It has been the purpose of the American Government to seek the maintenance of the status quo in connection with any trade agreement items as between this Government and any other Government. According to information which my Government has received it would appear that the British Government intends to go forward with the consideration of legislation which, if adopted, would add severe restrictions to those already in existence. My Government feels that it would be very unfortunate if irrevocable legislation were adopted by the British Government which would preclude the possibility of discussing this important item in the British-American trade.”⁹²

We have consistently maintained for ourselves and sought from others a policy which would preclude any change during the period of negotiations which would be detrimental to the trade of either country. Some months ago it was proposed in a bill presented to Congress to assess duties on antiques. Great Britain is a principal supplier of antiques. Having in mind the possibility of a trade agreement with Great Britain the Department took vigorous steps to have this provision in the bill withdrawn. This was done and had been done prior to the receipt of a protest on this same question from the British Ambassador.

Hull

89. Not printed, but see last paragraph of memorandum of July 21, by the Chief of the Division of Trade Agreements, pp. 58, 62.
90. Not printed.
91. Will Hays, president, Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc.
92. A memorandum in this sense was left at the British Foreign Office on December 3, 1937.