803.113/1459: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Wilson), at Geneva
85. Your 139, March 7, 10 a.m.,59 142, March 8, 9 p.m.,60 143, March 9, 6 p.m.61 and 144, March 10, 7 p.m.62
1. On March 7 British Ambassador took up with Under Secretary question of this Administration’s attitude and policy on subject of export of arms and ammunition to China and Japan, asking for reply which might be sent to London. This morning, reply is being made orally, with strictly informal aide-mémoire, giving account of effort made toward end of previous Administration to obtain legislation empowering the Executive in his discretion, after consultation with such other nations as he might deem necessary, to impose embargoes on the export of arms and munitions of war, and continuing as follows:
[Here follows quotation of last three paragraphs of the informal aide-mémoire printed on page 231.]
2. In conversation with Simon, you may make use of the substance of the above. You might also in your discretion ask Simon, as strictly on your own initiative, whether it would not seem that an embargo on export of arms to Japan alone would in effect amount to denial of arms both to Japan and to China, for the reason that, herself subjected to such an embargo, Japan would take steps to prevent delivery in China of arms exported to that country; and whether the net result of such an embargo would not be likely to be that no useful purpose would be served and the possibility of complications between Japan and other powers be greatly increased.
3. With regard to the inquiry which you have from Ruspoli,63 you may talk with Ruspoli in the sense of the above and may say that in general we concur in the views of his Government as reported in your 143, but avoiding reference to the question of legality under or violation of the Covenant of the League. You should state to him that we of course can not impose any embargo unless and until the necessary legislation is passed.
4. In replying to Drummond on the subject of Peru, you may make use of the above and may say that we are obviously not in position at present to participate in imposition of an embargo against [Page 234] any country; and that in regard to the principles involved, we perceive no reason why the considerations set forth in the aide-mémoire quoted in section 1 above should not apply with equal weight in any discussion of embargoes possibly to be imposed in Latin America.
5. Enjoin confidence in such degree as practicable.