822.61334/22: Telegram
The Minister in Ecuador (Hartman) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 15—11:10 a.m.]
79. Department’s 40, November 29, 1 a.m. [7 p.m.] The President went to Guayaquil November 29th to settle cacao situation and other matters. I followed December 1st believing that it was advisable that I be there to render proper assistance in the negotiations and I received Department’s number 40 after arrival Guayaquil. After consulting with the American Consul General and Mr. Lindberg I called upon the President accompanied by Lindberg December 4th and stated that I had received a cable from Department directing me to use good offices in bringing about the adoption and application of the plan set out in the cable and which Lindberg had previously outlined to the President in the same conversation. The attitude of the President toward the plan and the arguments in support of it was not emphatic. He stated his dissatisfaction with the Association in neglecting to give proper attention to bill for extension of cacao tax when Congress had it under consideration and said that it appeared to him that the Association was endeavoring to throw entire burden of securing passage of the bill on him and that he doubted whether it would be passed if an extra session of Congress were called. However, he intimated that an extra session might be called in three or four months after excitement has subsided.
In view of his attitude I concluded to leave a memorandum with him based upon Department’s telegram and such memorandum was sent to the President in the afternoon of December 6 but he had left for Manta and Esmeraldas earlier in the day. He was expected to arrive Guayaquil yesterday at which time probably he received my memorandum.
[Page 212]I returned Quito Saturday but arranged with Lindberg to notify me if it becomes necessary for me to return to Guayaquil in which event I will go immediately.
Lindberg insists upon delivery to Mercantile Bank of the 31,000 bags cacao at Guayaquil before stating proposals for future assistance to Association and I concur with him in that respect. We had frequent consultations during the week I was there and are in complete accord as to present procedure.
Lindberg will keep me advised and I will advise Department of developments.