835.01/7–2844: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
6470. Reference our 6091, August 2, 8 p.m. and 6339, August 11, 11 a.m. I have reviewed the Argentine situation in considerable detail with Halifax and Cadogan.75 I stated that the stamping out of Nazism in Argentina is a major objective of our policy as it should likewise be a major objective of British policy, and stressed that in order to realize our objective it is essential that the British stand firmly and wholeheartedly with us both in appearance and in fact. As an immediate concrete method of assuming joint leadership with us, I urged that they use the occasion of the meat negotiations to support our common stand and that they buy under a short term contract only enough to satisfy their immediate needs.
In order to maintain the initiative we consider that it is highly important that the British go forward with us and also that such economic steps as those referred to in the cables under reference, even though of a minor character, be taken at a very early date. We are reluctant to take any economic steps without being certain that in the meat negotiations the British will firmly demonstrate their support of our position. Furthermore, because of Eden’s request that he be consulted, we feel that we must have the British views both on freezing and on the proposed reduction of purchases before making a final decision.
- Sir Alexander Cadogan, British Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.↩