352.0022/12: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:10 p.m.]
233. My 226, October 17, 6 p.m.72 and 229, October 20, 6 p.m. Argentine Government has sent a telegram to the Government at Madrid pointing out that position recently taken by latter in regard to asylum would violate a right recognized and upheld by Latin America and [Page 746] a humanitarian principle founded on Spanish legal tradition. The Spanish Government has itself recognized this principle in the past and on the present occasion. Any alteration in the right of asylum might consequently affect the diplomatic relations of Argentina and Spain. Any such change even if accepted could take place only after the departure of those given asylum with full guarantee of protection.
Copy by airmail.
Am reliably informed that diplomatic representatives of Cuba and Chile in Buenos Aires have expressed their annoyance at Argentina’s attempt to be the leader of the Latin American Republics and that this sentiment is shared by some of their colleagues.
Mexican Ambassador told me today that while his Government accepted the doctrine of asylum it had merely asked its representative at Madrid for information. The Argentine Foreign Office states that it does not know which of the other Latin American Governments have made representations to Madrid.
The foregoing would indicate that no joint action will be taken as appears to have been the desire of the Argentine authorities and that even independent representatives [representations?] will not be made by all republics.
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