710.11/198½b
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: The Brazilian Government has reported in favor of your proposition excepting the matter of arbitration upon which it is still deliberating.
[Page 474]Argentine has reported enthusiastically in favor of all the propositions.
We have not yet heard from Chile. You remember it was the Chilean Ambassador who expressed the most objection both to the arbitration feature—that is compelling the arbitration of differences within a certain time—also to the guarantee of republican form of Government and the guarantee of integrity.
The Argentine Ambassador is quite anxious that we shall proceed with the treaty among the republics of the western hemisphere in order to produce an effect upon the European belligerents.
I asked the Brazilian Ambassador today to request the Chilean Ambassador to urge his Government to give us its opinion with a view of proceeding as soon as possible.
The Argentine Ambassador thought it might be well to have the plan presented to the other representatives soon so that they could consult their Governments. My own opinion is that the small countries will be very glad to approve and accept the plan in toto.
There are two questions:
- First: How long should we wait on Chile?
- Second: What we shall do if Chile postpones answer or answers unfavorably to some of the important parts of the plan.
Would the objection of one of the larger countries compel an abandonment of the plan, or would you want it presented to the others?
I think the treaty should be so drawn that those that do not sign now would be permitted to sign at any future time. If some of the countries are willing to accept the main propositions but are not willing to accept one or more of the minor provisions would it be best to so frame the treaty that each would bind itself to the others to such an extent as it is willing? I think this would be better than allowing the opposition of a few on some details [to] prevent the securing of such advantages as might come from agreement of all the nations on some of the provisions and of some of the nations on all the provisions.
I have referred to a number of questions which have arisen in the discussion of the subject with the three Ambassadors, but the most important thing to find out is whether we should wait on Chile before submitting the plan to the other countries. In submitting it we need not say that any of the nations have been consulted but send identical notes to all of them at the same time, submitting the plan as you have prepared it.
With assurances [etc.]