Office of the Historian

724.8415/3924a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Bingham)

Washington, July 14, 1934—3 p.m.

301. Press reports from London state that Lord Stanhope, speaking in the House of Lords on July 12, in regard to the Chaco arms embargo said: “As we understand it, Italy said that not merely current contracts but recurrent contracts should be allowed to proceed, which is a very different matter.”

Is it to be inferred that the British Government is allowing arms manufactured under current contracts to proceed?

Please ascertain and report fully by telegraph the policy of the British Government in this matter, especially in respect to arms and munitions manufactured under contract for the Bolivian or Paraguayan Governments and paid for in whole or in part before the embargo became effective.

Please keep the Department informed of all developments.

Hull