724.3415/3784: Telegram (part air)
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 4—8:40 a.m.]
129. Consulate’s 122, June 1, 5 p.m.76 I learn from League officials that the Paraguayan representative on leaving for Paris stated that his Government’s statement under paragraph 2 of article 15 would probably not be ready for at least a month. The consideration by the Council of the substance of the dispute will therefore in all probability remain suspended for some time.
1. Arms embargo proposal, (a)—As explained in previous telegrams the plan of action on this question envisages if possible a complete separation from the substance of the dispute. Official League position is therefore that the application of article 15 will have no effect thereon, (b)—A Committee of Jurists met this morning to attempt to find a formula to which all the states concerned should [Page 253] adhere in order to render the terms of the embargo precise and identic. This was seen to be of the greatest difficulty in view of the great variety in the terms of the replies and the differences in the laws in force in the various countries.
The jurists express themselves strongly that this is not a juridical question but rather a political and practical. The legal adviser is however making a further effort to find a formula to present to the Committee of Jurists on Monday.
In this connection the legal adviser informed me that the question has been raised as to the exact scope of the American embargo proclamation and that it would be helpful to him to have the text of the proclamation or at least that portion which designates specifically the types of war material covered and the nature of the prohibition prescribed, that is, sale, transit, export, et cetera.
(c)—Those states which have not submitted a complete list of the states on which their action is contingent especially Italy, Finland, Chile, are now being requested to do so immediately.
- Not printed.↩