810.34 Leasing/9: Telegram

The Chargé in Mexico ( Boal ) to the Secretary of State

219. Department’s circular telegram August 9, 6 p.m. I have today communicated to General Hay7 the three points given in your telegram and made it clear to him that these were given to avoid any possible misconception arising out of press reports.

The General had no official comment to make but told me entirely personally that he could foresee that if West Coast nations of South America availed of the opportunity to secure American destroyers the Japanese and some European nations would sit up and take notice. He wondered whether it would serve as a precedent for the furnishing of European war vessels to the contending factions in Spain.8 If the opportunity were availed of by numerous Latin American Republics he foresaw the possibility of complications.

Boal
  1. Eduardo Hay, Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs.
  2. See vol. i, pp. 215 ff.