740.0011 European War 1939/32530
The Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith) to the Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Bonsal)
Dear Philip: You will recall the secret correspondence which I had with former Under Secretary Welles24 covering my conversations with the President and with the Foreign Minister, Dr. Padilla, on Mexican participation through its armed forces at the combat fronts. You will recall the more recent correspondence which covered the developments during the stay of General Marshall25 in Mexico City and the stay of Admiral Johnson26 and General Henry. You will recall that the matter was left that if the Mexican Government had any concrete proposal to make in this direction, our military authorities and our Government would be prepared to consider it.
You will recall that in my letters I said that I thought the Mexican Government would prefer for the present to maintain its contact on this matter through the President and the Foreign Minister and this Embassy and that I thought it desirable that the matter be kept out of the Joint Mexican-United States Defense Commission until the matter had become somewhat clarified as to the real Mexican intent.
Since the departure of General Marshall and of Admiral Johnson and General Henry I have not discussed this matter with the President of Mexico. I have discussed it in a very informal way on several occasions with Dr. Padilla and have left it clear that the initiative was now up to the Mexican Government to make some concrete proposal. On this point there is no misunderstanding and I think it is definitely our desire that the approach should come from them, if any is made, and that we should not push them towards any action.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I know that the President and the Foreign Minister have been thinking in terms of one or more squadrons of air men who might [Page 414] after due training participate at some of the combat fronts. This to my mind is the only feasible form, of Mexican participation to begin with. It is to my mind the only feasible form from the political point of view as well as from the practical point of view. Although Mexican public opinion is better prepared for such participation, there is a good section of the public opinion which is not yet prepared for it. I think, therefore, that it is unlikely that the Mexican Government will make any proposal for sending land troops. I know that the President and the Foreign Minister will think in terms of air squadrons because they are realistic.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With all good wishes [etc.]
- The resignation of Sumner Welles was announced on September 25, 1943. See Department of State Bulletin, September 25, 1943, p. 208.↩
- Gen. George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, United; States Army.↩
- Vice Adm. Alfred W. Johnson, Chairman, United States Section, Joint Mexican-United States Defense Commission.↩
- Initialed by Herbert S. Bursley, Counselor of Embassy, with notation: “Dictated by the Ambassador but not read.”↩