File No. 763.72112/585

The Chargé d’Affaires in Argentina ( Lorillard ) to the Secretary of State

No. 380]

Sir: Referring to my telegram of November 18, 6 p.m.,1 with respect to the Argentine proposal that the Pan American Union at Washington should be authorized by all the American Republics to come to an agreement with the belligerent nations of Europe as to the protection of neutral shipping and the discontinuance of belligerent acts in American waters, and to my No. 371 of November 18 on the same subject,2 I have the honor to report that the acceptance of Dr. Naón’s proposal by the union on December 8 has been received with approval by the official and semiofficial press. The members of the Foreign Office are particularly jubilant over what is considered a decided success for their initiative. In business circles and among those not directly connected with the Government it must be confessed that there is no special enthusiasm on this subject as it seems to be the general opinion that little of practical importance can be accomplished by the Pan American Union in the premises. Now that the German war vessels in this part of the world have been destroyed, it seems to be the impression among practical persons that there is at present no further need for the good offices of the union.

I have [etc.]

George Lorillard
  1. Ante, p. 437.
  2. Ante, p. 438.