File No. 763.72/7770
It will be noticed that the reasons assigned for this action are
based upon the principle of American solidarity rather than for
reasons of direct grievances suffered from the German
Government.
[Enclosure]
The Uruguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs
(
Brum) to
the American Minister
No. 1201/917
Montevideo,
October 15,
1917.
Mr. Minister: I have the high honor to
communicate to your honor that the Government of the Republic,
under date of the 7th of the current month of October, declared
its diplomatic and commercial relations with the Imperial German
Government to be severed, and being expressly authorized by the
legislative power, it has just proclaimed under date of to-day a
decree revoking the dispositions in force with reference to
neutrality of the Republic with respect to France, England,
Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Japan Serbia, Roumania, and
Montenegro, which had been proclaimed under different dates on
account of the state of war in which said nations were engaged
with the German Government.
[Page 370]
In adopting such an attitude, Uruguay does so because it
understands that it is not possible for it to remain any longer
as a simple spectator in this world struggle in which the
supreme interests of democracy are fighting against the
autocracy of the German Empire, in which struggle those
countries which are tied to Uruguay by the same communion of
ideals are taking part and to which it must bring its assistance
and moral support.
Uruguay enters to form part of that league of honor to which
President Wilson referred
when, without passion and having no material interests to serve,
he proclaimed his honest policy.
In taking this action Uruguay has no private grievance to avenge
nor any direct offense to repress. Its attitude is based solely
upon the principle of elevated solidarity with the defenders of
right and justice who are at this time the noble defenders of
small sovereignties unselfishly fighting for the world
democracy.
I reiterate [etc.]
