835.30/17
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 22.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the Naval Attaché of this Embassy, Commander Strother, today informs me that in a quite recent conversation with a high-ranking Argentine naval officer, he stated that in naval circles was being discussed the possibility of engaging two naval officers of a friendly power to come to Argentina for a period of three years for the purpose of giving instruction in the proposed Naval War College; that sentiment among Argentine naval officers was in favor of securing this technical assistance from the United States, and that in any event, only British or American officers were under consideration. He has authorized Commander Strother to discuss the matter with me.
Commander Strother is reporting this matter to the Navy Department, having especially in mind its naval aspects as well as its practical repercussion on American interests.
Commander Strother tells me further that his informant went so far as even to intimate to him the advisability of my speaking to the President of the Republic on the subject!
I have deemed it appropriate to bring this immediately to the notice of the Department for consideration in its broader international aspects.
Commander Strother thinks that it may be some months before the subject takes practical shape, and is meanwhile keeping in close touch with the situation.
The Embassy would be grateful for the Department’s comments on the foregoing.
Respectfully yours,