710 Conference W and PW/1–1045
The Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs (Padilla) to the Secretary of State
0208. The recent consultation between the Governments of the American republics which form part of the group of the united and associated nations has made clear the desires of each of them to consider jointly, through their respective delegates the method of intensifying the collaboration as well as the part to be played by America in the future world organization and the impulse which should be given to the inter-American system as well as to the economic solidarity of the continent. In view of the above and taking into account, also, the agreement of those governments which were consulted that this act shall take place in Mexico—a matter which my Government accepts with positive pleasure—the President of the Republic, General of Division Manuel Avila Camacho, has instructed me to extend through Your Excellency his invitation to His Excellency Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President of the United States of America, to name representatives to meet in a conference which might be held in this capital beginning February 15, next. Confident that this invitation shall find a welcome in the mind of the Government of the United States of America, permit me respectfully to suggest to Your Excellency that you examine the possibility of presiding over the delegation of the United States of America since a contact between those encharged with the conduct of the international policy of the countries of America would be an advance guarantee of the success of the work of the conference and would contribute to the strengthening of the unity of our hemisphere to the benefit of the world. I shall appreciate Your Excellency’s advising me as soon as you may find it opportune regarding the following bases for discussion that would be followed by the conference which I would take the liberty of suggesting be known in advance as “Inter-American Conference on Problems of the War and [Page 4] of the Peace”: First, complementary measures for intensifying cooperation in the war effort until complete victory; second, examination of problems relative to the international organization for the maintenance of peace and collective security A) world organization B) development of the present inter-American system and its coordination with the world organization; thirdly, consideration of the economic or social problems of America A) economic cooperation during the war and the transitional post-war period B), consideration of method for the carrying out of this cooperation to the benefit of the economic and social conditions of the people of America for the fundamental purpose of raising their standard of living; fourthly, in compliance with the desires of those Governments which were consulted and upon completion of discussion of the above subjects, would be considered the resolution adopted by the Governing Board of the Pan American Union in its session of Monday, January 8,4 regarding the request of the Argentine Government. In further informing Your Excellency that I shall transit to you through the Mexican Embassy in Washington the project for the regulations of the conference, I take pleasure in renewing the assurances of my highest and most distinguished consideration.
- Quoted in Department of State, Report of the Delegation of the United States of America to the Inter-American Conference on Problems of War and Peace, Mexico City, Mexico, February 21–March 8, 1945 (Washington, 1946) p. 37.↩