Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1929, Volume I

810.79611 Pan American Airways, Inc./575: Telegram

The Chargé in Peru (Mayer) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

Lima, July 30, 1929—9 p.m.
[Received July 31—12:55 a.m.]

143. My 142, July 27, 7 p.m.

(1) I have been informed by Captain Grow²⁶ that the President through the Foreign Minister has instructed him to recommend a reply to a telegram which the Peruvian Government has received from its Embassy at Santiago reporting suggestion by the Chilean Government for a conference at Lima of official delegates from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Peru to agree upon conditions of aeronautical navigation in the above countries.

(2) Captain Grow will advise the Foreign Minister that, since these matters were taken care of by the commercial aviation convention at the Sixth Pan American Conference²⁷ to which Peru is a signatory and since the proposed conference represents an effort on the part of certain foreign interests against the Pan American Airways which have established an efficient service between the United States and Peru and the West Coast of South America, he recommends that the Peruvian Government inform the Chilean Government that it sees no need for the proposed conference; that if the countries concerned find fault with the Havana regulations, they can discuss procedure at the next Pan American Conference with all the countries. A complete copy of Captain Grow’s memorandum is being sent by air mail.²⁸

(3) The proposed conference, which is of broader scope than previously reported, constitutes an even greater menace by Scadta against American aviation objectives on the West Coast of South America, because it would apparently seek to discuss and to determine, without our participation, questions which, in the last analysis, have a vital and direct bearing upon broader matters of aviation from the United States to and along the West Coast, which matters are of immediate concern to the United States. The proposed conference would also appear to be a further effort by Scadta against the one American aviation company which is established in Peru.

(4) The action of Captain Grow may prevent participation by Peru in the proposed conference. In order to make this as certain as possible, however, I think it would be wise for me to tell President Leguía informally, responsive to my 142, July 27, 7 p.m., that both President Hoover and yourself greatly appreciate his friendly interest in the maintenance of the established airplane communication between the United States and Peru; and that in these circumstances President Hoover hopes that President Leguía shares his feeling that an aviation conference of limited participation might well prove embarrassing to this service.

(5) With reference to the proper protection of the Pan American Airways, I did not fail to take carefully into account the question of the American interests which may be negotiating with Scadta regarding West Coast traffic. Unless and until Scadta is bought out by American interests I think it would be dangerous for the United States not to give our strong support to a purely American aviation company carrying mail and passengers along the West Coast of South America under contracts from the Governments of the United States and of Peru because of the association of other American aviation interests with Scadta or any other foreign company attempting to compete with this established American concern.

(6) If the Department decides to authorize me to speak with President Leguía in the manner set forth in paragraph (4), I respectfully request the earliest instruction possible since the [Pan American policy?] may have a determining effect upon Peru’s action regarding the proposed conference.

Mayer

26. Peruvian Director General of Aviation.
27. Foreign Relations, 1928, vol. i, p. 585.
28. Memorandum not printed.