835.30/17
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell)
Sir: The Department acknowledges the receipt of your strictly confidential despatch No. 204, of March 10, 1934, in which you request its comment on the report received by the Embassy that consideration is being given to the proposition of engaging two American naval officers to act as instructors in the proposed Argentine naval war college.
[Page 540]In reply you are informed that the Department would view the matter favorably and would facilitate the selection of appropriate American naval officers for the mission should a formal request to that effect be made to this Government by the Argentine Government. The Department feels, however, that the initiative should come solely from the Argentine authorities, and that you should refrain from discussing the matter in advance of the receipt of a definite inquiry from the Argentine Government.
Very truly yours,