511.3B1/22
The British Chargé (Lindsay) to the Acting Secretary of State
Sir: With reference to my note No. 80 of February 3rd on the subject of the Arms Traffic Convention, I have the honour, on instructions from my Government, to urge once more that any failure to prevent the export by a private firm of arms and ammunition from the United States to destinations even other than China, Mexico and Soviet Russia, would nullify the objects of the Convention. His Majesty’s Government find it difficult to understand why if an effective control is exercised by the United States Government over the export of privately owned Arms and Ammunition to the three countries mentioned, this control cannot be extended to cover all destinations. I understand that the French Government share the views of His Majesty’s Government in this respect.
I am to point out that the Convention as originally drafted was intended to apply to small arms, etc. and it was at the suggestion of Mr. Beer of the United States Peace Delegation at Paris, that the scope of the Convention was extended so as to cover.” artillery and cannon of all types etc.”
This extension was agreed to in good faith by the other Signatory States and His Majesty’s Government earnestly hope that the United States Government will not nullify the effect of a Convention for which in its present form they are so largely responsible by failure to enforce in a comprehensive manner the control of [Page 205] export of privately owned arms and ammunition which is so essential a feature of the Convention as a whole.
I am particularly requested to ask for a reply at as early a date as possible.
I have [etc.]