75
Press Releases, vol. XV, p. 177
Statement by the Department of
State, August 22, 1936
Following is the text of a letter which was
addressed to an American manufacturer in response to an inquiry with regard to
the policy of this Government concerning the exportation of arms and ammunition
to Spain. Similar replies have been made to other oral inquiries on the same
subject.
"In reply to your inquiry, I beg to say
that the attitude and policy of this Government relative to the question of
intervention in the affairs of other sovereign nations has been well known
especially since the conclusion of the Montevideo Treaty of 1933.
"For your further information, I enclose
a copy of a circular telegraphic instruction which was recently sent to certain
consular representatives in Europe and which has not been made public up to the
present. [30a]
"I desire to call especial attention to
the reference therein to our neutrality laws and to the fact that they have no
application in the present Spanish situation, since they apply only in the
event of war between or among nations.
"Furthermore, I invite your attention
with equal force to the reference, in the same circular instruction, to this
Government's well established policy of non-interference with internal affairs
in other countries, as well as to the statement that this Government will, of
course, scrupulously refrain from any interference whatsoever in the
unfortunate Spanish situation. At the same time the Department expressed the
opinion that American citizens, both at home and abroad, are patriotically
observing this recognized American policy
"In view of the above, it seems
reasonable to assume that the sale of aeroplanes, regarding which you inquire,
would not follow the spirit of the Government's policy.
"Very truly yours,
WILLIAM PHILLIPS
[30a] Doc. 73.
329