811.20 (D) Regulations/1844: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain ( Weddell )

103. Your despatch no. 776, February 3, and your telegram no. 142, February 25, 5 p.m.6 The policy of this Government in respect to the control of exports is based primarily upon the needs of our own industry in carrying out our own defense program. There is a deficiency or a threatened deficiency of the great majority of the articles and materials subject to export control. When an exportable surplus is available, preference is given to the needs of Great Britain, of other countries engaged in resisting aggression, and of the American Republics. Exports to other countries, including Spain, are permitted with as great liberality as the situation warrants after the needs of the foregoing have been met.

In respect to machine tools, it should be noted that the most stringent restrictions are required in order that American industry may proceed with our defense program. There is a slight exportable surplus of sulphate of ammonia but this surplus is not nearly sufficient to meet in full the needs of the several countries which are endeavoring to purchase it here. We have, however, endeavored to allocate the surplus as fairly as possible and have licensed for export to Spain 4,200 long tons within the last 3 months. The Spanish Ambassador here6a has [Page 886] been informed that we hope to be able to issue licenses for additional quantities in the near future.

Hull
  1. Neither printed.
  2. Juan Francisco de Cárdenas.