816.01/301

The Ambassador in Mexico ( Daniels ) to the Secretary of State

No. 157

Sir: Referring to my personal telegram to the Secretary number 97 of May 17, 12 noon,3 suggesting that, because of the effect in Latin America, it would be advisable for the President’s message to the heads of the governments of the world4 to be sent likewise to the President of El Salvador, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy and translation of a letter3 from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of El Salvador to Doctor Juan Ramón Uriarte, Minister of El Salvador in Mexico, the original of which was lent to the Embassy by Doctor Uriarte for our information.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs told me at an informal luncheon at the Embassy today that the Minister of El Salvador had called [Page 680] on him yesterday at the Foreign Office and had asked Doctor Puig to use his friendly offices in order to bring about the recognition of El Salvador by the United States. Doctor Puig said that he had asked Doctor Uriarte to give him a memorandum, which he would be glad to study. He said that Doctor Uriarte must be aware that he, Doctor Puig, would not be particularly sympathetic to the recognition of President Martínez, Doctor Puig having written some articles in his paper here very uncomplimentary to President Martínez’ regime, shortly after the latter had assumed power. He said furthermore that when he was in Washington as Ambassador he had received a telegram requesting him to present an emissary of General Martínez to the State Department; that he had been to see Assistant Secretary White, and that Mr. White had appeared surprised that Doctor Puig, who had written articles criticizing President Martínez, should now wish to introduce one of his emissaries. Doctor Puig said he mentioned this incident as an illustration of the curious situation in which he was placed. He said that he obtained the impression from the Minister of El Salvador that one of his strongest arguments in urging recognition of El Salvador by the United States is the influence for harmony which this action would have at the forthcoming Montevideo Conference.5

My conversation with Doctor Puig, which was entirely informal, should not be construed as his having suggested that we recognize the present government of El Salvador. I understood him to say that he had not promised Doctor Uriarte to take any action, but that he would await the receipt of the memorandum which the latter is to deliver to him.

Respectfully yours,

Josephus Daniels
  1. Not printed.
  2. Vol. i, p. 143.
  3. Not printed.
  4. For correspondence concerning the Seventh International Conference of American States, held at Montevideo, December 3–26, 1933, see vol. iv, pp. 1 ff.