811.113/265a
The Under Secretary of State (Phillips) to the Italian Ambassador (Rosso)
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: When you came to see me on March 10, 1 promised to let you know the nature of our reply to the British Ambassador on the question of the arms embargo legislation, which was recommended by President Hoover, but which failed of enactment before the adjournment of the 72nd Congress.
We gave the British Ambassador an account of the efforts of the last administration to empower the Executive, in his discretion, after securing the cooperation of the governments of such other nations as he may deem necessary, to impose embargoes on the export of arms and munitions of war to any nation or nations which he may designate. We told him further that unless and until such legislation is passed by Congress, the Executive has no authority to impose embargoes on the export of arms and munitions of war which might be used in international conflict, and added that it was the purpose of this administration to press for the passage of such legislation. We told him also that it would be premature for this Government to decide upon the policy which it might eventually adopt in case the Executive were given the appropriate authority, but that if such authority is conferred upon the Executive, this Government will be glad to exchange views with other interested governments in regard to this question.
I am [etc.]