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700.00116/376
The
Chief of the Office of Arms and Munitions Control (Green), Department of State,
to One Hundred Forty-eight Persons and Companies Manufacturing Airplane Parts
WASHINGTON, July 1, 1938.
As some misunderstanding appears to have
arisen as to the purport of the statement made by the Secretary of State in his
press conference on June 11 in regard to bombing civilian populations from the
air, I am addressing this letter in regard to the matter to all persons and
companies registered as manufacturers or exporters of airplanes or aeronautical
equipment.
In view of the fact that the Secretary's
statement definitely condemned bombing of civilian populations from the air, it
should be clear to all concerned that the Government of the United States is
strongly opposed to the sale of airplanes or aeronautical equipment which would
materially aid or encourage that practice in any countries in any part of the
world. Therefore, in view of this policy, the Department would with great
regret issue any licenses authorizing exportation, direct or indirect, of any
aircraft, aircraft armament, aircraft engines, aircraft parts, aircraft
accessories, aerial bombs or torpedoes to countries the armed forces of which
are making use of airplanes for attack upon civilian populations.
Should any manufacturer or exporter have
already entered into contractual obligations, of which he finds it impossible
to divest himself, to sell or export airplanes or aeronautical equipment, for
which licenses have been issued or for which he has heretofore intended to
apply for licenses, to any country which is engaged in bombing civilian
populations from the air, it is suggested that he may wish to inform the
Department of the terms of that contract before applying for licenses to export
pursuant to it or before exporting under licenses already issued.
Very truly yours,
JOSEPH C. GREEN
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