710 Consultation 4/11–1044: Telegram
The Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:51 p.m.]
1407. Padilla informed me last evening that he had now handed the memorandum, the text of which I transmitted in my telegram No. 1404 of November 8, 8 p.m., to all of the Chiefs of Mission of the American Republics in Mexico City, with the exception of the Argentine. He said that all of them had expressed their personal appreciation of his initiative and their agreement that it offered an approach which gave promise of success and an adequate solution. He said that all were in agreement in expressing the personal opinion that a meeting on the basis of the Argentine initiative was impossible and that a meeting of Foreign Ministers to discuss other urgent problems was necessary, at which the attendance of the Argentine was desirable but that such attendance by the Argentine was not possible until the Argentine had taken definite and adequate steps. They expressed personal agreement that if by the time such meeting is held the Argentine had not taken necessary and adequate steps as outlined in his memorandum, the meeting must be held without the Argentine.
I have not discussed this matter of Padilla’s initiative with any of my American colleagues except the Brazilian, who came to see me to say that the memorandum had been handed to him. His reaction was entirely favorable, and he so has said to his Government. My impression is that the Chiefs of Mission in Mexico City will make favorable recommendations to their Governments on the Padilla memorandum and initiative.
[Page 42]I have not expressed any opinion to Dr. Padilla for our Government on his initiative and have told him that up to now I have not received any reaction from my Government.
Although the newspapers here give considerable space to despatches from the news agencies in Washington concerning the Argentine matter and alleged statements made by or attributed to the Department, I have not since my arrival in Mexico City on November 5 had any information from the Department concerning its present thought for my guidance.
I repeat my recommendation that we go along with the Padilla memorandum and procedure for I think we will find that all of the other American Governments will see in it a procedure which offers promise of success and eventually adequate solution of the problem.