710.11/215½a

The Secretary of State to President Wilson

My Dear Mr. President: In regard to the Pan American Treaty—I have seen, in addition to the Ambassadors, nine of the ministers, and given them copies of the four articles. They all express personal delight at the Treaty and feel sure that their governments will be glad to enter into such a convention. I have still the representatives of three other countries to see, and hope to do so tomorrow.

The number of persons who know of this plan makes the possibility of secrecy very difficult, in fact, some of the papers have already got hold of the fact that there is some plan on foot for a Pan American Agreement, or conference in line with the address which I made on Monday. I have, since being questioned by one of the reporters on the subject, notified all the Ambassadors and Ministers to be kind enough to keep the matter secret. I had already told them that the matter was confidential when I gave them the memorandum, but I am afraid that they have showed it to some of their fellow-countrymen who are here attending the Scientific Congress and so a considerable number are undoubtedly in possession of the fact that we are attempting to unite the Americas in an agreement of some sort. I thought I would tell you this so that you will understand if you see anything in the papers on the subject.

Yesterday Ambassador Suárez said to me that he was in hopes of receiving from his Government an acceptance of the plan and that he was most desirous to obtain it and felt sure if a little time was given he could do so. His change of attitude is certainly interesting.

Faithfully yours,

Robert Lansing