Evening star., 1940-04-02
Moral Embargo
Against Russia
Holds, Hull Says
Conflicting Views
Topic Of Long Talk
With Oumunsky
BY GARNETT d. HORNER.

BY GARNETT d. HORNER.
Secretary of State Hull made It
clear at an unusually long conference
with Soviet Ambassador Constari-
tine A. Oumansky today that the
moral embargo" against shipment
OF American airplanes to Russia Is
still in effect.
Mr.. Hull indicated that the moral
embargo was one of the subjects
discussed with the Soviet Ambassa-
dor, explained that most of the
things about which the two nations
have conflicting views were talked
over.
He added that the conference,
which lasted for an hour and five
minutes-longer than State Depart
ment attaches could recall foreign
diplomat talking with the Secretary
IN recent years-had resulted in no
decisions or new developments.
Embargo Still in Effect.
Asked directly at his press con-
ference a few minutes after Mr..
Oumansky had left the office
whether the moral embargo against
Russia was still in effect in view of
the end Of the fighting between Rus
sla and Finland, Mr.. Hull said that
1t still was in effect against every
nation In the world that incurs the
penalty.
The moral embargo is an extra
legal policy designed to penalize any
nation whose armed forces are guilty
of unprovoked bombing of civilian
populations. It attempts to ban the
export Of any American airplanes,
parts of material essential to the
manufacture Of planes and equip
ment, or plans for the manufacture
OF high-test aviation gasoline, to
such nations.
Theadministration never has spe-
Gifted any particular countries in
announcements of the moral en-
barge policy, but a statement by
President Roosevelt last December
2. shortly after Russian planes had
started bombing civilians in Finland,
had the effect of applying the policy
to the Soviet. It previously had
operated since June, 1888, to prevent
Shipment of American airplanes to
Japan.
Oumansky Is Silent.
Mr.. Oumansky would say nothing
to reporters about the subjects he
discussed with Secretary Hull. It
was the first time he had seen the
Secretary officially since February
!, when he was understood to have
complained about an anti-Russian
speech made by Assistant Secretary
OF War Louis johnson. Mr.. Ouman-
sky said he had requested the ap-
pointment with the Secretary today.
The conference was scheduled
from II to 1880 am, but ran over
to 1905 pm, delaying a meeting
scheduled at 80 am. between Mr..
Hull and South African Minister
Ralph William Close, to sign treaty
providing for the organization of
commissions to settle disputes that
might arise between the United
States and South Africa.
IL WdS presumed tlldG several OCQer
current problems in addition to the
moral embargo were discussed, in
Guiding the British blockade of
American exports to Russia, de-
signed to keep goods from reaching
Germany through Russia. Mr.. Hull
described it as general conversa-
tion about all phases of relations
between the Soviet and the United
States.
Short Social Exchange.
Reminded that the unusually long
conference had lasted for an hour
and S minutes, Mr.. Hull said that
about minutes of the time was con-
sumed socially, and the other was
spent in discussion of current topics.
While Mr.. Oumansky was talking
with Secretary Hull, Lord Lothian,
the British Ambassador, conferred
for a shorter time with Undersecre-
tary OF State Sumner Welles, who
soon thereafter went to the White
House for an appointment with
President Roosevelt.
The various conferences stirred
considerable speculation as to
whether there was any connection
between them.