73
852.00/2510A
The Acting Secretary of State
(Phillips) to the Diplomatic And Consular Officers of the United States in
Spain [30]
[Circular telegram]
WASHINGTON, August 7, 1936—5 p.m.
While I realize that all of our officers have
fully appreciated the necessity for maintaining a completely impartial attitude
with regard to the disturbances in Spain, and that such an attitude has at all
times been maintained by them, it may be well for them to have a summing up of
what this government's position thus far has been and will continue to be.
It is clear that our Neutrality Law with
respect to embargo of arms, ammunition and implements of war has no application
in the present situation, since that applies only in the event of war be-
[30] Text of telegram also sent to Legations of the United States at Lisbon and Tangier.
322
DOCUMENTS
tween or among nations. On the other hand, in conformity with its
well-established policy of non-interference with internal affairs in other
countries, either in time of peace or in the event of civil strife, this
Government will, of course, scrupulously refrain from any interference
whatsoever in the unfortunate Spanish situation. We believe that American
citizens, both at home and abroad, are patriotically observing this
well-recognized American policy.
C [ORDELL] H [ULL]