765.84/4720: Telegram (part air)
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 26—7:15 a.m.]
249. 1. In a conversation with the Argentine representative today, with a frankness which surprised me he expressed himself in the following sense respecting the Argentine policy of nonrecognition. He then said that he had reason to believe that a conflict existed between Washington and Buenos Aires over this matter, the United States while recognizing the desirability of its application in specific cases was opposed to the principle of its universal applicability. I remarked with entire truth that I did not know of my Government’s position on this question. He then went on to say that despite the United States tacit opposition Argentina feels confident, particularly in view of Washington’s being still tied to the Stimson doctrine,82 [Page 164] of carrying through her nonrecognition policy both in Geneva and at the inter-American Conference.
2. I learn that Cantilo while discussing Argentine policy with the Italians and in emphasizing that it was not aimed against Italy expressed something of the foregoing, asserting that Argentina and the United States are rivals respecting the inter-American Conference and that Argentina does not desire any diminution of European influence in Latin America which she feels is desirable as a counterpoise to that of the United States.
- See telegram No. 7, January 7, 1932, noon, to the Ambassador in Japan, Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 76.↩