710.11/264a
The Acting Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: The Argentine Ambassador called here on Wednesday, the 15th, and I took up with him the subject of the treaties with the Central and South American Republics along the line you indicated in our talk on Tuesday.
He quite agreed with you that it would be well to go ahead without Chile . . . He suggested that as a possible compromise, the provision in regard to the guaranteeing territorial integrity could be drawn to provide for arbitration in case of disputes arising in the future, and that a clause should be added providing that in cases of existing disputes, these should be settled within a limited period through diplomatic channels. After these disputes were settled, then the treaty should apply to the disputed territory.
He has asked for an interview with you and will probably discuss this matter at that interview. In the meantime it would be worth while considering whether the compromise he suggests has any merit. [Page 495] If, in your opinion, it has no merit, negotiations could be begun for concluding the treaties of the countries that have accepted the original terms.
Yours faithfully,