Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

710 Consultation 4/11–844: Telegram

The Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith) to the Secretary of State

Mexico City, November 8, 1944—8 p.m.
[Received November 9—6:30 a.m.]

1404. I have just returned from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where Padilla called me. To my surprise and without explanation he said that he had talked with the Brazilian, Uruguayan, and Cuban Ambassadors²⁴ during the course of the day and had handed them a memorandum which he was about to read to me. He said that this matter of the Argentine had certain aspects of urgency and that he had handed to the above mentioned Ambassadors the memorandum he was about to give me and which was brief restatement of the memorandum which I submitted to the Department with my despatch 21242 of November 7²⁵ and of which I gave a résumé in my telegram no. 1399 of November 7, 3 p.m.²⁵

The translation of the memorandum²⁶ is as follows:

• “(1) We must at all costs defend the unity of continental America.
• (2) A meeting of the Foreign Ministers to discuss the Argentine case would be a grave danger for this unity.
• (3) The reincorporation of the Argentine in Pan American cordiality is urgent.
• (4) The Argentine Governments during the course of the war and the actual Government during recent periods have given justified causes for judging that the form in which they have complied with the agreements of Rio de Janeiro has not been satisfactory and that their cooperation has not been in accord with what could be expected from the Argentine traditions.
• (5) It is necessary to find a formula which satisfies the dignity of the American countries which have abstained from maintaining relations with the Argentine Government and which, at the same time, will prepare the way for a satisfactory understanding.
• (6) In our opinion the procedure most advisable would be the following:

  (a) That instead of calling a meeting of Foreign Ministers to discuss the Argentine case, it be called to discuss matters of permanent general interest related to the postwar such as those relating to the harmonizing of the continental organization within the general organism which the United Nations are creating (establishment of a ‘sociedad Americana’), the economic solidarity of our hemisphere; the coordination of the various American organisms and instruments which have been created; the control of armaments of the American countries; and other subjects of interest which may be placed on the agenda.

  (b) That the date of the meeting be February 1 in order to provide the necessary time that there be crystalized the definitive Dumbarton Oaks project;²⁷ with the understanding that that date could be advanced if during December 1944 or January 1945 the United Nations reach an accord on the above mentioned project. In this manner the American countries will have sufficient time to study the subjects which will appear on the agenda.

  (c) In the meantime the American Republics which do not maintain relations with the Argentine will exchange impressions in order to find the appropriate conditions for the renewal of the same.

  (d) These conditions would be derived fundamentally from a balance between the measures taken by the Argentine Government to fulfill the agreements taken at Rio de Janeiro²⁸ and those which in the opinion of the American Republics it must take; further an endeavor would be made to obtain the democratic guarantee that the Argentine people will be called to express their opinion on a matter of continental interest. It is undoubted that we do not have the right to discuss the internal life of the nations of this continent, since this treats of a matter which depends from their sovereign rights. But it does interest us, particularly in a time of war such as this, what the repercussion of such internal life had on international affairs. Some American countries have given, in spite of the fact that their internal regime is not in accord with strict democratic norms, invaluable proofs of what continental solidarity should be.

  (e) If through the friendly and brotherly intervention of all of our Republics the Argentine accepts this opportunity to reincorporate herself fully in the unity of our continent, the meeting of Foreign Ministers on February 1 would take place with her very desirable participation full.

We would be happy to be able to work in this matter, in complete conformity with all of the countries of America and from them we hope to receive their observations on the foregoing points.”

Padilla said with reference to paragraph 6 subdivision (d) of the above memorandum that he was of the opinion that the providing for elections, even if not held before the meeting, was indispensable to Argentine participation in an eventual meeting.

Padilla said that the Brazilian, Uruguayan and Cuban Ambassadors expressed themselves as completely in accord with this procedure and would strongly support it before their governments. He will hand the memorandum to all the other American Chiefs of Mission except the Argentine tomorrow and I venture to express the opinion that most, if not all, of the Latin American Republics will go along with him on this proposal, for it is what they have been looking for.

I expressed some surprise to Dr. Padilla that he had proceeded with this initiative as it has been my understanding that he would not act until hearing from us further. He gave no explanation of proceeding with the delivery of this memorandum today except to state that the matter was urgent.

In my opinion in view of the fact that Padilla has taken this action which is so likely to be acceptable to most of the other American Republics, if not all, and which gives strong promise of providing a satisfactory solution, we should promptly inform him of our support of his initiative.

Messersmith

24. Carlos de Lima Calvancanti, Mateo Marqués Castro, and José Manuel Carbonell, respectively.
25. Not printed.
25. Not printed.
26. A paraphrase of this memorandum on the Mexican position was sent in a circular telegram to the other American Republics except Mexico, November 12, 1944, 6 p.m.
27. For correspondence on the Dumbarton Oaks Conversations, see vol. i, pp. 713 ff.
28. Third Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the American Republics, January 15–28, 1942; for correspondence, see Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. v, pp. 6 ff.