814.00 Revolutions/68: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Guatemala (McCafferty)
76. Your 112, December 19, 11 a.m.5 While the Department is willing to have you discuss with your colleagues steps for the safeguarding of foreign lives in case of political disturbances, I desire to point out that the position of this Government with regard to the Central [Page 183] American Governments is somewhat different from that of many of the other countries enumerated in your telegram. You should not therefore enter into any discussions with your colleagues for joint action in the matter of recognition.
The policy of this Government in the recognition of new Governments in the Five Central American Republics was publicly stated by Secretary Hughes on June 30, 1923, as follows: [Here follow the eighth, ninth, and tenth paragraphs of the press release issued by the Department of State on September 17, 1930, printed in volume I on page 387.]
The Secretary of State on September 17 in his statement announcing the recognition of the Argentine, Peruvian and Bolivian Governments, said: [Here follow the sixth, seventh and last paragraphs of the press release issued on September 17, 1930.]
This is still the policy of this Government and you will please so informally and orally inform the authorities now in control of the Government of Guatemala. While the Department does not desire to make a public statement at this time you may in conversation with other leading Guatemalans make the same statement.
Immediately upon his return, the Department desires the Minister to examine the situation very carefully with a view to making constructive suggestions in the premises. The Department, as stated above, upholds the 1923 Treaties. In order that the action of the present Guatemalan authorities may not result in a long period of non-recognition, the Department will be glad to have the Minister examine the situation and let it know what steps may possibly be taken by the Guatemalan authorities to put the Government back on a constitutional basis and also whether he feels that there is likelihood of the present authorities taking such steps.
- Not printed.↩