724.3415/1920 1/14
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (White)
Mr. Espil called and showed me a telegram from his Government indicating that Señor Blanco, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, had made a statement that Uruguay had suggested the inclusion of Argentina in the Neutral Commission. The telegram said that this was obviously put out to curry favor with Argentina.
Mr. Espil was concerned lest a discussion on this point should take place between the River Plate countries. I told him that I thought it would be very unfortunate at this time when the countries of America are showing a united front for Argentina and Uruguay to start a discussion on any such topic. I also told him that this could not be denied as the Uruguayan Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Richling, had telephoned to me from New York on July 25 suggesting that the countries neighboring on Paraguay be added to the Neutral Commission. I read him the memorandum27 of my two telephone talks with Mr. Richling on that day in which I had pointed out the inexpediency of any such action.
Mr. Espil thanked me and said that he would word his telegram in such a way that he thought there could be no publicity regarding it.
- Not printed.↩