Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, Europe, Volume II

852.00/2545

Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State

[Washington,] August 7, 1936.

The French Chargé d’Affaires called upon me to advise the Department of the various steps that had been taken by his Government to obtain non-interference by other governments in the Spanish situation. He gave me briefly the substance of the replies which had been received from England, Italy, Germany, and Belgium. The British had agreed at once to accept the French proposition and so had the Belgians. Italy and Germany, while accepting in principle, had asked for certain definitions and clarifications. This M. Henry said was “all old stuff” and had already appeared in the press.

This afternoon he was in receipt of a telegram from his Government containing a new French project which had been sent forward yesterday to the various interested governments. Already the British had sent a reply of acceptance. Under instructions, M. Henry left with me the accompanying copy and said, as there was no publicity as yet with regard to it, he would not, if questioned by the press, say more than that he had merely called to keep the Department informed with regard to developments.

William Phillips

[Annex—Translation]

French Draft of Declaration

The Governments . . . . . . . deploring the tragic events of which Spain is the theatre,

Being decided to abstain strictly from any interference, direct or indirect, in the internal affairs of that country,

Animated by the wish to avoid any complication prejudicial to the maintenance of good relations among nations,

Make the following declaration:

1. The Governments named above prohibit, each one so far as it is concerned, the exportation, direct or indirect, the reexportation and transit, with Spain, the Spanish possessions or the Spanish Zones of Morocco, as destination of all arms, ammunition and war materials, as well as all aircraft, assembled or not assembled and all war vessels.

2. This prohibition applies to contracts in course of being filled.

3. The Governments . . . . . . . shall keep each other informed of all measures taken by them to give effect to this declaration, which shall have immediate application.