760D.61/809
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the
Division of the American Republics (Duggan)
[Washington,] December 13, 1939.
Mr. Gazitúa9 left with me the attached memorandum
summarizing the reasons for the Chilean decision not to join with the
other American countries in issuing a statement condemning the Soviet
invasion of Finland. Sr. Grazitúa inquired whether this Government had
yet replied to the circular telegram from the President of Panama.
I informed Sr. Gazitúa that on December 12 this Government had replied to
the Secretary of Foreign Relations of Panama informing him that it was
prepared to join with the other American countries in the issuance of
such a statement, after recalling that the President of the United
States had on December 1 already issued a similar declaration.
[Annex—Translation]
The Chilean Embassy to
the Department of State
- 1.
- The draft Joint Declaration by the American countries violates
the spirit of the Panama Conference whose object was to secure
neutrality in the presence of the European war and its possible
effects.
- 2.
- The situation produced between Finland and the Soviet Union is
a clear consequence of said war.
- 3.
- The position we say American countries are to adopt contrasts
with the cautious attitude of the interested principals, France
and Great Britain, and with the rest of the European
neutrals.
- 4.
- The purpose of Argentina and the other American countries to
universalize principles and doctrines adopted in view of the
situation and special interests of our continent, will create an
untoward precedent and involve the American countries in
European complications from which we ought to keep ourselves
aloof.
- 5.
- The action of the said countries in support of the League of
Nations is sufficient to satisfy their doctrinaire
postulates.
