John Adam Kasson to Heinrich Karl von Haymerle, March 18, 1881

Mr. Kasson to Baron Haymerle.

The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, begs to call the particular attention of his excellency Baron Haymerle, imperial and royal minister for foreign affairs, to the following observations:

In the Wiener Zeitung of the 16th instant appears the following official publication:

Verordnung der Ministerien des Innern, des Handels und der Finanzen vom 10. März 1881 betreffend das Verbot der Einfuhr von Schweinen, Schweinefleisch, Speck und Würsten aus den Vereinigten Staaten von Nord-Amerika.

Im Einvernehmen mit der kön. ungarischen Regierung wird die Einfuhr von Schweinen, von Schweinefleisch aller Art, von Speck und Würsten jeder Gattung aus den Vereinigten Staaten von Nord-Amerika an die österreichisch-ungarische Monarchie verboten.

Dieses Verbot tritt mit dem Tage seiner Kundmachung in Wirksamkeit.

TAAFFE, M. P.

DUNAJEWSKI, M. P.

PINO. M. P.

From this it appears that alike in Hungary and in Austria, without previous notice to or understanding with the Government of the United States, an unconditional prohibition has been imposed on the importation of an important article of commerce, the produce of the United States. This prohibition appears to be exceptionally applied to the produce of the United States, and not to extend to other nations.

The treaty of commerce and navigation concluded between the two nations on the 27th of August, 1829, adopted a system of “perfect reciprocity, based upon principles of equity equally beneficial to both countries.” Article V of that treaty, in conformity with that system, provided for mutual and exact equality of treatment, so that no other or higher duties should be imposed on the produce or manufactures of either than those imposed upon the like article the produce or manufacture of any other country. It is further, in the same article, expressly agreed as follows: “Nor shall any prohibition be imposed on the importation or exportation of any article the produce or manufacture of the United States or of the dominions of Austria, to or from the ports of the United States, or to or from the ports of the dominions of Austria, which shall not equally extend to all other, nations”.

The Government of the United States is unable to reconcile the official order above quoted with the provisions of the treaty and the obligations imposed alike on both governments.

The undersigned must, therefore, protest in the name of his government against the said order and its enforcement, and reserves all rights of reclamation, both for his government and for its citizens, on account of the injury and damage which may result therefrom.

The undersigned begs his excellency Baron Haymerle to accept herewith the very cordial assurances of his distinguished consideration.