Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1933, General, Volume I

500.A15A4 Air Armaments/229: Telegram

The Acting Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State

Geneva, March 22, 1933—6 p.m.
[Received 8:10 p.m.]

584. During the last few meetings of the Air Commission (the Commission has now adjourned temporarily in order to have an opportunity to study the British plan) it became increasingly evident that the European states for one reason or another wished to press non-European states especially the United States and Japan into a definite statement regarding their position in respect of regulation control and/or internationalization of civil aviation as a condition precedent to the total abolition of military and naval aircraft. This despite the regional reference in the resolution of July 23 and our repeated comment both public and private on this subject. Finally, on March 15th the Committee put the following two tortuous questions to the non-European states:

“First, were there any countries which did not desire any kind of interference with their civil aviation with a view to the abolition of military and naval aviation and, second, if those countries were nevertheless prepared to agree to the abolition of their military and naval aviation.”

Response to these questions was deferred by the submission of the new British plan and the consequent adjournment pro tern of the Commission. However, it seems certain that upon resumption of the Commission the non-European states will be pressed for an answer.

After discussion of the matter with us the Canadian delegation suggested a joint statement giving the view of the United States, Japan, India and Canada, the four non-European Governments represented on the Air Commission.

The following draft joint statement has been approved by the Canadian delegation:

“Statement of the delegations:

The delegations of (blank) desirous of clarifying the situation in regard to civil aviation and of facilitating progress of the Commission toward agreement on questions pertaining thereto submit to the Air Commission the following statement of their views and proposals:

The above delegations note that most of the delegations supporting the view that the internationalization of civil aviation, coupled with measures of supervision and control, is a condition precedent to effective and adequate steps for the abolition, reduction or limitation of air armaments, represents countries on the European Continent, where generally speaking, a certain uniformity of conditions obtain. The situation existing and influencing civil aviation in non-European countries differs materially from these European conditions. In view of the radically different conditions prevailing in other parts of the world, it is deemed that in non-European regions the internationalization of civil aviation or international control and supervision of civil aviation has little or no bearing upon the question of limitation and reduction of air armaments.

While for the above reasons the said delegations are unable to subscribe to the idea of internationalization of civil aviation and of international supervision and control of civil aviation as applicable to themselves, they are nevertheless, sincerely desirous of contributing to the work of the Conference and of allaying whatever apprehensions may exist in the minds of other nations in regard to their civil aviation.

In consequence, they are willing, in the event of the acceptance of measures of internationalization of civil aviation or of comprehensive supervision and control of civil aviation by the European nations as among the said nations, to apply to themselves the following measures of national control, in the hope and confident belief that these measures will allay any misgiving which might arise among the European states as to possibilities inherent in the future development of civil aviation in countries outside the European Continent.

1. The prohibition of the incorporation of military features in any civil or commercial airplane which is either registered or constructed in, or under, their jurisdiction. This refers specifically to the installation of bomb racks or provisions therefor; the installation of means of mounting machine guns, or provisions therefor; the installation of bomb sights, or provisions therefor; et cetera.

2. Full publicity as to the characteristics of all civilian or commercial airplanes which are registered or constructed in, or under, their jurisdiction.

3. A system of licenses for the export of all military, civilian or commercial airplanes constructed in or under, their jurisdiction with full publicity as to character and destination of such planes.

4. Reports from time to time, as may be agreed upon with respect to action under points 2 and 3, to the Permanent Disarmament Commission.”

Matsudaira is in general agreement and is telegraphing the draft to his Government. The Indian representative¹ approves of the idea and is being furnished a copy for reference to his Government.

We hope that this draft meets with your approval as well as this method of handling the matter.

Gibson

1. Sir Henry Wheeler.