File No. 862.85/376

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina ( Stimson )

[Telegram]

Department’s March 25, 5 p.m. Your March 28, 10 a.m.,1 March 28, 11 a.m., April 9, 7 p.m., April 12, 4 p.m.2 Please secure the following information and cable it at once to the Department:

(1)
What is meant by “the same trade routes as those now used by the Pampa and other Argentine national transports”?
(2)
At the present time are any Argentine national transports navigating the war zone?
(3)
What is meant by description “national transports”? Does such a boat fly Argentine mercantile flag or Argentine naval flag?
(4)
In your March 28, 10 a.m., what is meant by the following: “that since this is the attitude of the Government the courts in this country must adopt the use of attorneys in the event of any attempt to attach them by legal means”?3
(5)
What evidence is obtainable to show that the purchase by the Argentine Government of the Bahia Blanca is a bona fide purchase and not simply a cover for German interests? Is the purchase limited in any way? If so, what is the extent of such condition? If possible in this connection ascertain the terms of purchase. If purchase is limited in any way, to whom are profits payable during Argentine’s possession? Ascertain if possible if there is any clause in purchase agreement whereby vessel is to be returned upon any given event.

In order that this Government may be in position to determine the question of recognition of transfer of flag, in the light of all the facts, it is hoped that the Argentine Government will be good enough to aid this Government by furnishing information on the foregoing points.

Lansing
  1. Post, p. 1793.
  2. Telegrams of Apr. 9 and 12 not printed.
  3. This inquiry was based on an error; the words “use of attorneys” were later corrected to read “same attitude.” See post, p. 1793.