815.113/50
The Secretary of State to President Coolidge
My Dear Mr. President: The Department has just received a telegram from Stauffer, Eshelman and Company, Limited, of New Orleans, stating that a representative of the revolutionary forces in Honduras has placed an order with them for twenty-six thousand dollars worth of rifles and ammunition. The Company inquired whether it could make delivery of these rifles and ammunition to the representative of the revolutionary forces at shipside, New Orleans, or could make shipment direct to Honduras. It is impossible to stop the shipment of such arms to Honduras unless a proclamation prohibiting the exportation of arms and munitions of war is issued. A Joint Resolution of Congress approved January 31, 1922, authorizes [Page 322] the President to make such a proclamation and this was done in the case of Mexico on January 7, of this year.24
In view of the present chaotic conditions existing in Honduras I feel that such a proclamation should immediately be issued and I am enclosing such a proclamation herewith for your signature,25 should it meet with your approval.
Faithfully yours,