611.1631/113
The Minister in El Salvador (Corrigan) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 20.]
Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram No. 25 of May 3, 1935, informing the Department that I had on that date handed to [Page 545] the Salvadoran Ministry for Foreign Affairs the aide-mémoire and Schedule I of the proposed Trade Agreement between the United States and El Salvador forwarded to the Legation with the Department’s instruction No. 99 of April 6, 1935.
The Legation has now received a note from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, No. 774 of May 7, 1935, acknowledging the receipt of the aide-mémoire and Schedule I. The note reads in translation as follows:
“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed Note No. 163 of May 2, with which you were pleased to send me a list of the concessions and assurances on the part of El Salvador that your illustrious Government wishes to propose as bases for the negotiation of the proposed Trade Agreement between the two countries.
I have also received the memorandum to which Your Excellency refers.
Assuring Your Excellency that my Government will duly study this matter, I wish to renew the assurance of my very high esteem.
(signed) Miguel Angel Araujo.”
In an informal conversation held on May 10 with Doctor Rodrigo Samayoa, Minister of Finance, he told me that he had not yet had time to study the proposals, which were receiving the attention of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, but that he meant to do so as soon as possible. In previous conversations with Doctor Araujo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Sub-secretary, Doctor Arturo Avila, they intimated that some time would be required for the detailed study it is desired to give the proposals, and to ascertain the reaction and opinion of local business interests, and Doctor Avila stated that it might be nearly two months before they would be ready to conduct concrete negotiations.
It is my impression that the general attitude of the Government is favorable to the Trade Agreement, but that they are somewhat concerned with its possible effect on Government revenues.
The newspaper La Prensa of today carries the first public announcement that the Government has received the American proposals regarding the Trade Agreement; the announcement is without any comment.
Respectfully yours,