50
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned
to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]
220
Decode.
Mr. Mallet
From: UNITED STATES.
(Washington)
15th September 1537.
D. 1.10 p.m. 15th September 1937.
R. 9,50 p.m. 15th September 1937.
No. 272. R.
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President issued statement last night to the effect that the United States Government-owned merchant vessels will not until further notice be permitted to transport to China or Japan any of the arms, ammunition or implements of war listed in President's proclamation of May 1st (see Sir R. Lindsay's despatch No.507 of June 7th). Other merchant vessels flying the United States flag which may attempt to transport any of these articles to China or Japan are warned that they will do so at their own risk.
The ban applies with the greatest force to the thirteen ships of the Pioneer Line which is operated for Maritime Commission and it appears that first direct consequence of President's action will be to stop shipment of nineteen aeroplanes destined for China consigned in one of the vessels of this line due to sail from a Californian port tomorrow. The President's statement added that questions of applying neutrality act remain undecided.
Page 220Page 221
TEL. NO. HOLBORN 3434.
Any communications on the subject of this letter should be
addressed to :-
THE SECRETARY,
AIR MINISTRY,
ADASTRAL HOUSE,
KINGSWAY,
LONDON, W.C.2.
end the following number quoted :—
S.42348/S.6.
Sir,