Paris Peace Conf. 183.9 Uruguay/1: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

124. Doctor Brum, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, has submitted following confidential memorandum for report consideration.

“Uruguay considered very worthy of attention the reason invoked by the Allied Nations for limiting (or reducing) the number of countries which are to attend the Peace Conference in as much as the interests in debate being especially European, the presence of representative of many American countries at the conference might prejudice the interest of the Allied Powers. It must nevertheless be taken into account that at the Peace Conference there will be debated beforehand those mentioned political or financial matters which distinctly affect the countries of America. Some of these as for example Uruguay have special and direct questions to be settled with Germany as a result of their attitude towards the European conflict. It represents that the solution might be as follows:

Invite the countries which are in the situation of Uruguay to the Peace Conference arranging that they shall intervene only in the political or financial matters which affect America. In this manner due provision is made for European views; and there is not inflicted upon the countries of America solidary with the Allies, the rebuff of doing without them, and according them the same treatment as to those which remained neutral in the bravest [gravest] moments of the war.”

American Minister in Uruguay is of the opinion that Allied Governments have been furnished with memorandum of similar nature. Diplomatic representatives of Allied Governments in Montevideo have informed Uruguayan Government that they are taking great interest in causing the matter to be brought to the attention of their Governments.

I should be glad to be informed whether: 1, those Central and South American countries which declared war on Germany are to be represented at the Peace Conference; 2, those countries such as Uruguay and Peru which broke relations with the German Government and turned over the German ships in their ports to the United States Government are to be represented in order that if the answer is in the affirmative it may appear that they gained their representation through good offices of the United States Government.

There is very strong sentiment even in those countries such as Uruguay and Peru that they should be represented at the Peace Conference and unless they are so represented they will feel aggrieved and consider that their following the lead of the United States in the World War has not been appreciated.

Polk