561.311F1/46: Telegram

The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State

119. From Morgenthau. 1. Argentine representative10 did not arrive until yesterday. Have had three sessions since. The inclination of all delegates is to recommend reduction of acreage, leaving methods of doing so to each country. I have informed them that the United States will act under farm relief bill provisions. Argentine delegate has definite instructions not to consent to any export quota arrangement. General desire is to limit any agreement to 2 years. I have informed fellow delegates who have in turn informed me that none of us have authority to bind our Governments.

2. Department’s No. 52, May 12, 6 p.m. (1). Our exports being about one-fifth of our production and those of the three other countries being approximately three-fifths, it would be impossible to obtain an agreement that any reduction of acreage be so arranged as to leave relative positions of countries in the world market unmodified. [Morgenthau.]

Gilbert
  1. Carlos Brebbia.