811.113/345
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of Commerce (Roper)38
Sir: In order that no misunderstanding may arise concerning the policy of this Government in regard to the export of arms and munitions of war, and in regard to the duties of its representatives abroad in relation thereto, I have recently addressed a series of instructions to [Page 379] American diplomatic and consular officers,39 setting forth the position of this Government concerning this matter. These instructions have differed in detail in order that they might be applicable to particular conditions existing in particular countries, and in order to ensure due regard for pertinent statutes and treaties of limited application. In general, however, they have set forth that it is not the policy of this Government to encourage the export trade in arms and munitions of war and that consequently its representatives abroad should not proceed on their own initiative to promote American trade in arms or munitions of war and should not endeavor to create trade opportunities for American exporters of such articles. They should, however, when requested to do so by American exporters or their agents or by prospective purchasers, follow the same procedure in giving information and advice as they would follow in respect to the trade in any other commodity. They are instructed further that in order to disassociate the American Government from the promotion of the export trade in arms and munitions of war, they should decline to use official channels for the communication of inquiries or offers between prospective purchasers and sellers unless, in some particular case, a refusal of such assistance would be manifestly inappropriate, or unless these inquiries or offers are in regard to such materials as blasting powder, dynamite and other explosives when it is definitely known that these articles are intended by reputable concerns for industrial uses. When virtual warfare is being carried on between two countries, representatives of this Government should exercise unusual discretion in their relations with American exporters of arms or munitions of war or with their agents and with prospective purchasers.
I should greatly appreciate it if you would bring this communication to the attention of those officers of your Department whose duties may involve the handling of business connected with the sale of arms and munitions of war to foreign countries.
Very truly yours,
- The same, mutatis mutandis, to the Secretaries of War and Navy.↩
- See circular instruction of May 13, p. 367. A similar instruction was transmitted to American representatives in the Danzig Free State, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland on November 7. On November 10 the Department of Commerce and the Navy Department separately advised the Department of State that their representatives abroad would be “advised accordingly”.↩