Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

321 Mr J. A. Lyons, Prime Minister, to Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in London

Cablegram unnumbered 30 November 1938,

Today's cables [1] indicate that plan is being prepared for presentation to President Roosevelt to amend United States Neutrality Law to enable President to apply embargo against any nation deemed to be aggressor. [2] Cables further state that Canada will be included in list of American nations to which Act now does not apply. Seems to us that even if chances small it would be well worth while for you to discuss with Roosevelt the possibility of America including Australia and New Zealand in same category as Canada. [3] Such a recognition of common interests and ideals English-speaking countries on Pacific basin would have obvious and tremendous results.

LYONS

1 Not printed.

2 The 1937 Neutrality Act was on the agenda of Congress for renewal in late 1938. The then current law did not discriminate between aggressor and victim in conflicts to which the Act applied.

3 Bruce visited Washington in December 1938 on his way from the United Kingdom to Australia, but no record has been found of discussion on any topic except tariff barriers.

[AA : CP290/2, BUNDLE 1, FILE 15]

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