721.23/1194
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (White)
I called the German and Italian Ambassadors by telephone and told them that some days ago they had been good enough to advise me that their Governments had instructed their representatives in Lima to make representations to the Peruvian Government in the Leticia matter on the basis of the Kellogg Pact provided the other European nations had done so. I told the German Ambassador that the Italian Government had taken similar action and vice versa. I told them both that on Saturday I was advised that the British Government had instructed their Minister in Lima to make representations on the basis of the Kellogg Pact; that the only country we are waiting to hear from now is France, and that the delay there is undoubtedly due to the change in government. I said that in view of the extreme gravity of the situation at Leticia the Secretary had asked [Page 456] me to inquire of them whether they would mind suggesting to their Governments, in view of the fact that three of the four European nations are apparently ready now to go ahead, that they do so without waiting for France. They both said that they would immediately send cables to their Governments in that sense.