724.3415/4004: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 11—7:55 a.m.]
463. Embassy’s 449, August 3, 1 p.m. Foreign Office, through informal communication dated August 10, confirms oral information previously given and telegraphed to the Department that no licenses have been issued for exports of arms and ammunition to Bolivia and Paraguay from the United Kingdom since May 9 last.
The Foreign Office states further that they did not think it necessary to interfere with the completion of a small number of contracts for the execution of which licenses had been issued previous to May 9; that these contracts have been completed and that the British Government are now in effect enforcing a complete embargo on the supply of all arms to the two belligerents, including aeroplanes and aeroplane motors although they have not yet made a formal announcement to this effect at Geneva.
Foreign Office still unable to furnish detailed information requested in the Department’s 317, July 26, 8 p.m.