825.00 Revolutions/33: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson)
42. Embassy’s 109, September 6, 12 noon. The sale or transfer of submarines owned by this Government is forbidden by Article 18 of the treaty on the limitation of Naval Armament signed at Washington February 6, 1922.1 As respects the delivery of war material, this Government is disposed to find means of cooperation, but the Department is handicapped in regard to adequate information as to the supplies available at Panama by the week-end holiday, including Labor Day, and the necessity for thorough consideration. It suggests that no public intimation be given of an approach to us until we are able to reply fully, probably tomorrow. As respects tear gas, our information is that there are no supplies of this commodity in Governmental possession at Panama or elsewhere short of commercial producers in this country. The delivery of munitions of war will in any case be slow and difficult, as shipment of them by commercial aircraft appears to be forbidden by Article 15 of the Convention on Commercial Aviation signed at Habana February 20, 1928,2 and shipment by sea is slow and obviously complicated by the Chilean Naval situation.
[Page 915]You may express the appreciation of this Government of the desires of the Chilean Government to maintain order and stable institutions and to protect American interests in Chile, and also our Government’s keen appreciation of the difficulties with which Chile is confronted.
Please telegraph immediately specific war material desired by the Chilean Government. Point out the possibility of purchasing more adequate supplies from commercial manufacturers here.