832.113/46: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Morgan)
83. After you have answered circular note of November 3, as instructed earlier this morning, you will please say to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that in carrying out its traditional policy of friendship for Brazil, the Government of the United States is continuing the embargo on the export of arms from the United States to Brazil.16 Under this embargo the export of arms is prohibited except to the Government of Brazil, which is now recognized by the Government of the United States.
At the same time you may make it clear, in case there should be any doubt in the mind of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, that the action of the Government of the United States in placing an embargo on the export of arms to Brazil was not motivated by any partisan feeling whatsoever in the recent revolutionary movement. Such action is required by a convention now in force between the United States and Brazil, signed at Habana on February 20, 1928, between the American Republics regarding the duties and rights of States in the event of civil strife.17 This Treaty was ratified by the President of the United States on May 7, 1930, the ratifications of the United States being deposited at the Pan American Union on May 21, 1930, and the treaty proclaimed by the President on June 6, 1930. This treaty has also been ratified by Brazil, the ratifications having been deposited at the Pan American Union on September 3, 1929.
It is the feeling of the Department that if you will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs it should dispel any possible misunderstanding which may exist as to the action of the Government of the United States in the premises.
- At the request of the Brazilian Embassy, the President of the United States on March 2, 1931, issued a proclamation (46 Stat. 3050) lifting the embargo on the export of arms and munitions to Brazil (832.113/61).↩
- Foreign Relations, 1928, vol. i, p. 612.↩