765.84/635: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 25—1:40 p.m.]
331. The Government announced in the House of Commons this afternoon, in reply to an arranged question, that arms and ammunition destined for Government of Abyssinia would be permitted transit across British territory or British protected territory adjacent to Abyssinia in accordance with article IX of the treaty of August 21, 1930.39 It was stated at the same time that this Government understood the interpretation placed by the French Government on article IX of the treaty of August 21, 1930, to be the same.
As to the issue of export licenses for arms and ammunition, it was announced that the British Government are doing their best to make possible a peaceful outcome of the present unhappy dispute and would not wish to do anything which might prejudice the situation. They will, therefore, for the present not issue licenses for the export of arms from this country to Italy or Abyssinia.
In a private conversation this afternoon with a member of the Embassy’s staff a Foreign Office official emphasized the importance of the announcement that the decision to refuse export licenses was “for the moment”, and that the policy might be modified, dependent upon the outcome of the efforts now under way to effect a peaceful solution.
- British and Foreign State Papers, vol. cxxxiv, p. 332.↩