Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The Far East, Volume III

740.00111A Arms Control–Transshipments/13: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State

London, September 25, 1939—2 p.m.
[Received September 25—8:50 a.m.]

1810. My 1670, September 15, 9 p.m.⁷⁸ Following informal letter dated September 23 received from the Foreign Office:

“I write to assure you that His Majesty’s Government will do nothing to impede the progress of transmission to China of arms and materials for the Chinese Government exported from the United States, provided that the documents of the ships in which they are carried clearly indicate their destination.⁷⁹

2. You will, of course, understand that in present circumstances it is possible that these ships will be stopped in order that their identity may be established and their papers examined. If, however, this examination proves satisfactory they will naturally be allowed to proceed at once without further hindrance.”

Kennedy

78. Not printed.
79. In telegram No. 2087, October 19, 11 a.m., the Ambassador reported a similar assurance from the British Foreign Office regarding shipments of arms to the Liberian Government, Thailand, and the Shanghai International Settlement Municipal Police.