File No. 763.72112/357

The Secretary of State to the Argentine Minister (Naón)

Sir: I have received your note of the 9th instant confirming the conversations which you have had at the Department relative to an understanding between the Argentine and the United States Governments upon the steps to be taken to prevent any damage which may be caused to the interests of either country by the interpretation placed upon conditional contraband by the Governments of Great Britain and her allies and by the detention of neutral vessels carrying cargoes consigned to neutral countries.

The statement made by you of the position of your Government regarding the definition of the rights and duties of the Argentine Republic and of its citizens in the present war, and the intention of your Government to protest in each particular case when those rights so defined are interfered with by the authorities of His Britannic Majesty and of his allies, holding their respective governments responsible for any resulting damages, coincides with the attitude of this Government in this matter.

As to the method of procedure in applying this policy the Department desires to state that inasmuch as the interests of the two Governments may not be identical in the same vessels and cargoes, it is understood to be impossible to make joint representations to the British Government in particular cases. This Government therefore understands that it is the desire of your Government to have representations to the British Government in these matters made separately but in harmony with each other, and that to this end the representatives of our Governments advise each other of the progress of their respective representations in each case. Upon this understanding the Government of the United States is gratified to inform you that it will cooperate with your Government in the matters herein mentioned.

Accept [etc.]

W. J. Bryan