THE FOREIGN SERVICE 
OF THE 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
American ConsnL General^ 
Leopoldville 9 Belgian Congo > 
Hay 33 > 1955 . 
Dr. Waldo L. Schmitt « 
c/o Mr. Vanheej 
ControUeur des Donanesy 
Usim^ura. 
Dear Dr. Schmitt: 
I have delayed writing until we had escplored every possibility 
of sectudng sraae advantages for you idiich would relieve you of the 
necessity of too many customs conq^lications on leaving the Qoago^ 
You will have received our last letter on this subject > and although 
1 am hopeful that you will have a minimum of duties to pay^ 1 feel 
that your idiole trip has revealed a situation which the Belgians will 
want to coxrect if other e3q)editions are to be encouiraged to visit 
the Congo. 
The trotOjle seems to be that the Customs law is eot^pletely 
inflexible > and no Goveznment fmctimary, including the Minister of 
Colonies, has any discreticxi in applying the Customs laws affecting 
expeditions such as yottrs. It is at least comforting to know that 
the decisions that were taken in respect of your group were not due 
to either pettiness on the part of officials or a lack of willin^ess 
to aec<xBDU3date you. 
We have learned much, and as sow as you have left and we know 
the resT:ilts of your eapezlence at the port of exit, we will make a 
full report to the Department for the information of all concerned 
in Washington. 
You have been extremely patient and c<xiscientio\is under trying 
circumstances, and this has helped us to play our part. 
Please give our very best regards to all the mmabers of yoiu* 
party. We hope that the results of yoxu^ work will compmisate for 
your inconveniences. 
Sincerely yotirs. 
