File No. 835.73/75
The Ambassador in Argentina ( Stimson ) to the Secretary of State
My April 2, 11 a.m. I have just come from an audience with the President, granted on the subject of the petition of the Central & South American Telegraph Co. to lay a cable from Buenos Aires to Montevideo. I explained the matter fully and completely to him: its past history; the objection raised by the British or “Western” company, based on their alleged monopoly; the objections to this claim under the Argentine Constitution; the reasons of convenience for the completion of this, the last link in the chain of the Pan American cable from New York around South America; the international need of such a system, both to Argentina and Uruguay; and, finally, the particular interest the Government of the United States took in the matter.
He appeared to be much interested, and assured me he would give the matter serious and friendly consideration himself, and asked me to leave with him personally the copy of the brief application with me, prepared by Mr. Shirley, and the map showing the lines of the telegraph company.