714.1515/974: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Guatemala (Hawks)44
74. Your 149, November 16, noon. It is this Government’s opinion that the prospects for the success of the approaching conference will be far better if both delegations are left free by their Governments to explore all proper methods of settlement of the controversy in informal and friendly exchanges of views. They cannot do this if they are restricted by their instructions to a discussion on any given basis. This Government wishes, therefore, to suggest to both of the Governments concerned the desirability of giving their delegates the greatest practicable freedom of action. This will not, of course, prevent either Government from setting forth fully its point of view and will not commit either Government to the acceptance of any agreement which it does not consider satisfactory.
You may inform the Guatemalan Government that this Government’s views as above expressed are being communicated to the Government of Honduras and that the Legation at Tegucigalpa is being instructed to urge upon that Government the desirability of withdrawing any conditions or reservations made in its note of acceptance. It is hoped that the Guatemalan Government, as an indication of its willingness to cooperate, will likewise accede to the idea of a frank and friendly exchange of views upon all phases of the boundary question and will not give to its delegates any instructions which might prevent such an exchange.
- The same, mutatis mutandis, to the Minister in Honduras as telegram No. 85, referring to his telegram No. 107, November 7, 4 p.m.↩