765.84/3963: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister Resident in Ethiopia (Engert)
Washington, March 27, 1936—5
p.m.
101. Your 170, March 20, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- The United States signed the Protocol of June 17, 1925, prohibiting use of gases in war, but has not ratified it. Accordingly, [Page 51] although Italy has ratified that Protocol and Ethiopia has adhered to it, the United States not being a party to the Protocol is scarcely in a position to use its good offices in the present instance.
- 2.
- The United States has ratified the Hague Convention No. 4 of 1907 and Ethiopia has adhered to it. According to our records Italy signed the Convention but has not ratified it. The Convention is not therefore in force as between Italy and Ethiopia and accordingly neither country is under obligation to observe the Convention in respect of the other.
- 3.
- Inasmuch as the United States is not a party with both Italy and Ethiopia to either of these agreements it is difficult for this Government to take any measures looking toward the enforcement of their provisions with respect to either belligerent.
Hull