724.3415/4976a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell)
73. For Gibson. With the apparent probability that the peace protocols will be ratified by the Congresses of both belligerents within the period fixed, it appears highly desirable to this Government that the peace conference to be summoned by the President of Argentina comprise as well representatives of nations additional to those now participating in the mediation proceedings. You will recall that this Government has upon several occasions intimated its hope that the Governments of Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba, members of the original Commission of Neutrals, be invited to participate and the League recommendations of November 24, 1934, specifically provided not only for the inclusion of these nations, but also for the inclusion of Ecuador and Venezuela. Bolivia has repeatedly pressed for the inclusion of the first named.
This Government has consistently believed that the prospects of securing a successful outcome of the peace conference would be greatly enhanced by the participation of these other Republics owing to the fact that through such representation the entire body of public opinion on this Continent outside of Central America will be officially concerted [Page 78] behind the work of the conference. Furthermore, should it be possible later on, by seizing the favorable opportunity presented by the successful conclusion of peace in the Chaco to undertake discussions envisaging the creation of continental peace machinery adequate to deal in the future with such controversies as the Chaco dispute, such efforts would be greatly facilitated if none of the major republics of the continent were offended because of their exclusion from the conference now to be held in Buenos Aires.
I wish you would ascertain and cable the Department what the intention of the President of Argentina is in this regard. It would probably be useful for you, at the same time, informally to obtain the opinions of the Chilean and Brazilian Foreign Ministers first, and should they prove in accord with the general policy above outlined, undertake some conversations with the remaining members of the Mediation Commission. While, as you realize, it would probably be undesirable at this stage for the United States to undertake any open initiative in the matter, I believe the question is so important that informal conversations between yourself and your colleagues before any further time passes will be highly desirable and serve a useful purpose.