852.00/8078
Memorandum of a Press Conference, Held at the Department of State June 3, 1938
At the press conference this afternoon, Acting Secretary Welles read a statement deploring the ruthless bombing of unfortified localities. (See press release No. 269 of June 3, 1938.65) A correspondent, referring to the statement, asked whether there was any particular reason for its being issued at this time. Acting Secretary Welles replied that he thought it was perfectly apparent to all of the correspondents that there have been incidents in the last few days with special reference to the statement made. A correspondent said he thought Mr. Welles’ statement had a direct tie-up with some of the remarks which Secretary Hull was scheduled to make in his speech the same evening. (See Secretary Hull’s Nashville speech of June 3, 1938.66) The Acting Secretary said there was a very definite connection. A correspondent stated that Great Britain had recently condemned the bombing by Franco and asked whether there was any connection between our action and that of the British. Mr. Welles replied that this Government was acting entirely independently in the matter. Asked whether the statement would be sent to our representatives abroad for delivery by them to other Governments, Mr. Welles said that this was a statement made in Washington indicating the attitude of this Government and that anything sent to our representatives abroad would be informative and not for delivery. Asked whether he had discussed the statement with the President during his visit at the White House this morning, the Acting Secretary said he had done so.
A correspondent said that, taking the bombing statement and Secretary Hull’s speech together, he wondered if he was correct in assuming that it was a double-barreled statement of policy. The Acting Secretary said that he had not intended it to be considered in that light and what the Secretary would say in his speech tonight [Page 205] would be the only barrel that need be used. He added that he thought it was desirable and properly useful that this Government should make known its attitude in regard to the bombing incidents of the last few days.
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