60
Press Releases, vol. XIII, p. 382
Statement by the Secretary of
State, November 15, 1935
In view of the many inquiries that are being
asked from time to time with respect to trade with Ethiopia and Italy, I deem
it proper again to call attention to the statement by the President on October
5 that he desired it "to be understood that any of our people who
voluntarily engage in transactions of any character with either of the
belligerents do so at their own risk."
On October 10 I explained that the
President's statement was based primarily upon the policy and purpose of
keeping this country out of war, and that "it certainly was not intended
to encourage transactions with the belligerents." I further explained that
"our people
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might well realize that the universal state of business uncertainty and
suspense on account of the war is seriously handicapping business between all
countries, and that the sooner the war is terminated the sooner the restoration
and stabilization of business in all parts of the world, which is infinitely
more important than trade with the belligerents, will be brought about."
The President, in a statement on October 30, further emphasized the spirit of
this policy.
The American people are entitled to know that
there are certain commodities such as oil, copper, trucks, tractors, scrap
iron, and scrap steel which are essential war materials, although not actually
"arms, ammunition, or implements of war", and that according to
recent Government trade reports a considerably increased amount of these is
being exported for war purposes. This class of trade is directly contrary to
the policy of this Government as announced in official statements of the
President and Secretary of State, as it is also contrary to the general spirit
of the recent neutrality act.
The administration is closely observing the
trend and volume of exports to those countries, and within a few days the
Department of Commerce expects to have complete detailed lists of all
commodities exported to the belligerents which will enable exact comparison
with lists for the same period last year.