724.3415/3966: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the American Delegate to the General Disarmament Conference (Wilson)
164. Department’s No. 82, July 27, 11 a.m. to the Consulate. Please transmit the following message to the Secretary General for the Chairman of the Council’s Committee of Three dealing with the Chaco conflict:
“With further reference to your telegram of May 20, requesting information as to whether this Government was prepared to participate in cooperation with other governments in prohibiting the sale of arms and munitions of war to the Governments of Bolivia and Paraguay, I have to inform you that since May 28, the date on which the [Page 279] President proclaimed the Joint Resolution of Congress, prohibiting the sale of arms and munitions to the Bolivian and Paraguayan Governments or to persons acting in their interests, no shipments destined to either country have left the United States with the exception of certain arms and munitions which were contracted for by the Bolivian Government with American companies, paid for in whole or in part, and of which the manufacture was wholly or virtually completed before the date of the President’s Proclamation. These contracts have been carefully studied by my Government and, on grounds of equity to the Bolivian Government, exceptions from the general prohibitions of the Resolution have been made in certain cases. Shipments pursuant to the sales which have been excepted, including 5 airplanes, will probably be completed within a week or 10 days. As all outstanding contracts have been examined and as my Government has determined to grant no further exceptions, no arms and munitions will leave the United States for Bolivia or Paraguay after those referred to have been exported, until such time as the prohibitions of the Resolution are rescinded by the President or by Congress.”