500.A4/191½
Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation with the Portuguese Minister (Alte), September 22, 1921
The Minister said he had been instructed by his Government to inquire whether it would be possible to have Portugal represented at the Conference in connection with Pacific and Far Eastern questions. He said that Portugal and the Netherlands had actual settlements in the East and that if the Netherlands were to have an opportunity to take part in the discussion, Portugal should likewise.
The Secretary stated the actual situation with respect to the overtures that had been made to other governments relating to the participation of Belgium and Holland and said that he would be glad to take the matter up in order that Portugal should also have an opportunity to take part in the discussion of Pacific and Far Eastern questions.
[Page 75]The Secretary said that it was the desire to limit the number of delegates as far as possible, in the interest of the effective working of the Conference. The Secretary referred to the fact that the British delegation might be enlarged from the four which this Government had contemplated, but that it was not necessary for every government to be represented by the same number.
The Portuguese Minister said he thought two would be enough for Portugal, and that he would make that suggestion to his Government.