Office of the Historian

500.A15A4 General Committee (Arms)/20

The American Delegate (Wilson) to the Secretary of State

Geneva, July 3, 1934.
[Received July 17.]

Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of the report45 of the Committee for the Regulation of the Trade in and Manufacture of Arms and Implements of War, based on the application of the suggestions46 made by this Delegation in amplification of the statement made by Mr. Davis on May 29, 1934.47

There is also enclosed an analysis48 of the articles which have been prepared for inclusion in the Convention. Inasmuch as the application of these articles, if adopted and included in the General Disarmament Convention, will be of great concern to the War and Navy Departments, it is suggested that they and the accompanying analysis be brought to their attention in order that the Department and this Delegation may have the advantage of such suggestions as they may make in the premises. It is improbable that these articles will be considered by either the Bureau or the General Commission before early autumn.

In view of the fact that the control of manufacture and traffic in arms is of great concern to private manufacturers of these articles, the Department may wish to consider the advisability of consultation with their representatives in the same manner as was done before the 1925 Arms Traffic Convention49 was adopted. Such a conference in which could be explained the method, scope and results of control and an exposition given of the provisions drafted for the protection of their interests and their rights to fair and proper competitive business, and their desire for safeguarding processes and trade secrets, might not only decrease opposition on their part to these proposals but might also result in suggestions of great value to the Department in determining its attitude on this draft.

The draft articles herewith are a result of American initiative, being based on the memorandum submitted by this Delegation on June 15. In consequence, it will be necessary for this Delegation to take a leading part in subsequent discussions on these articles, which merit careful thought—not only on account of their importance in the field they cover, but also on account of their bearing on other portions [Page 129] of the Convention. The Delegation would greatly appreciate the suggestions and advice of the Department as early as practicable.

Respectfully yours,

Hugh R. Wilson
  1. For text of report and draft articles adopted by the Committee, see Conference Documents, vol. iii, pp. 891–895.↩
  2. Ante, p. 120.↩
  3. Ante, p. 79.↩
  4. Not printed.↩
  5. Foreign Relations, 1925, vol. i, p. 61.↩