Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 61 Part 3.djvu/160

 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [61 STAT. transitional period for dealing with the special tariff position which Philippine products have occupied for many years in the United States is an essential accompaniment to Philippine Independence. tryof Phippine Accordingly, under the Philippine Trade Act approved April 30, Trao'e Actof946. 1946, goods the growth, produce or manufacture of the Philippines d22U.S.A. 12 51 will enter the United States free of duty until 1954, after which they et 8eq. will be subject to gradually and regularly increasing rates of duty or decreasing duty-free quotas until 1974 when general rates will be- come applicable and all preferences will be completely eliminated. Since the enactment of the Philippine Independence Act approved 48 St5at. 123 March 24, 1934, my Government has foreseen the probable necessity dae. of providing for such a transitional period and has since then con- sistently excepted from most-favored-nation obligations which it has undertaken toward foreign governments advantages which it might continue to accord to Philippine products after the proclamation of Philippine independence. Some thirty instruments in force with other governments, for example, permit the continuation of the ex- ceptional tariff treatment now accorded by my Government to Philip- pine products, irrespective of the forthcoming change in the Common- wealth's political status. BNonextenson t With a view, therefore, to placing the relations between the United lorded by U. S. to States and Bolivia upon the same basis, with respect to the matters involved, as the relations existing under the treaties and agreements referred to in the preceding paragraph, I have the honor to propose that the most-favored-nation provisions of the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the United States and 12 tat. 1003 . Bolivia signed May 13, 1858, shall not be understood to require the extension to Bolivia of advantages accorded by the United States to the Philippines. In view of the imminence of the inauguration of an independent Philippine Government, I should be glad to have the reply of Your Excellency's Government to this proposal at an early date. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. DEAN ACHESON Acting Secretary of State His Excellency Sefior Don VICTOR ANDRADE, Ambassador of Bolivia. The Bolivian Armbassador to the Secretary of State EMBAJADA DE BOLIVIA WASHINGTON Excmzu&Ncy: EXCELLENCT

I have the honor to refer to Your Excellency's note of May 4, 1946, with regard to the provision that the most favored nation clause of the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the United States and Bolivia, signed May 13,1858, shall not be under- 2438

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