710.G/298: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6 p.m.]
97. Referring to Department’s telegram No. 76, of October 10, 7 p.m., Prensa publishes this morning second editorial urging postponement Montevideo Conference. At diplomatic reception this morning Minister of Foreign Affairs told me editorial did not represent views of his Government. He also said he thought that effectiveness of work to be carried out would be greatly facilitated if matters were thoroughly discussed beforehand, emphasized the importance of an atmosphere of harmony and expressed the hope that American Institute of International Law would assemble in Buenos Aires a short time before the Conference for the purpose of discussing essential features of program. He said he was in correspondence with Mr. James Brown Scott.34 He regretted the general situation as containing many delicate features which might easily provoke friction or embarrassment. He again promised to give me early opportunity of discussing items in program of particular interest to his Government. He seemed particularly interested and twice inquired if my Government had changed its viewpoint and now favored postponement. I replied I knew of no change. Peruvian Ambassador tells me he feels convinced both Brazil and Argentina would really like a postponement of Conference by [but?] that apparently Uruguay wants to go ahead.
- President, American Institute of International Law.↩