Office of the Historian

500.A15A4 General Committee (Arms)/118: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the American Delegate (Wilson)

Washington, March 7, 1935—7 p.m.

482. Your Nos. 999, March 5, 11 a.m.,55 and 1000 March 5, 7 p.m. No objection is perceived to the transfer of Category IV (a) (1) to Category I.

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The transfer of Category V (a) (2) to Category I would appear to be inexpedient and unnecessary. Our manufacturers and those of other producing countries have a legitimate export trade in revolvers and pistols to meet the requirements of civilians for individual protection. Although these articles are an element of military equipment, they are primarily and for the most part used for other than military purposes. It would, therefore, appear to be inadmissible to prohibit their exportation except “for direct supply to the government of the importing state or, with the consent of such government, to a public authority subordinate to it” as provided for in Article 10.

We would have no objection to the elimination of Category V (a) (1) and Category V (a) (3).

Your position in regard to Articles 14 and 18 of the Washington Naval Treaty is approved.

Hull
  1. Not printed.↩