835.6363/468: Telegram

The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State

213. Standard Oil representatives advise me that the present time limit for acceptance by them of marketing arrangement expires on October 13.

It is my considered judgment, particularly in view of the arbitrary municipal bylaw reported in my 209 of October 7, 11 a.m., that if the oil companies are forced to accept the present arrangement and this occurs without question on our part it will adversely affect the prestige of other American interests here and may very likely give rise to further arbitrary legislation.

I would, therefore, strongly urge that I be authorized to discuss the matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and to express to him the hope that equality of treatment may prevail in dealing with these companies.

Weddell