810.34 Leasing/101: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile ( Philip ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 26.]
Sir: With reference to my despatch No. 691 of the 13th instant21 and to other correspondence in regard to the question of leasing destroyers by the United States to Brazil and other Latin American Republics, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy and translation of an aide-mémoire, or statement,21 handed to me on the 19th instant, by Señor Benjamin Cohen on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Señor Cohen stated that the Minister wished to express to me that his Government entertained no objection to the proposed leasing of destroyers and would be glad if I would convey this statement to my Government as a means of clarifying Chile’s position in a matter which had occasioned such widespread comment in South America and as an informal reply to the information communicated by me to him in accordance with the Department’s cabled circular instruction of August 9, 6 p.m. The statement has been given to the press of Santiago and appeared today, the 20th instant.
In the course of the conversation during his visit, Señor Cohen expressed his personal belief that the proposal to lease destroyers had attained its controversial importance largely as a result of two unforeseen factors: (1) the obstructive attitude assumed by Argentina and (2) the suggestion emanating from the press of the United States to the effect that the proposal might have arisen owing to the existence of some threat to Brazilian sovereignty from non-American sources.
[Page 170]With regard to the former, Cohen said he had heard that the proposal had been mentioned to the Argentine Government by the Brazilian Ambassador in Buenos Aires some time prior to its having been given publicity, and that the Brazilian representative had been given to understand then that it would not be viewed with disfavor in that quarter. He said also that it would appear that the Brazilian Government, which is now obtaining expressions of opinion regarding the proposal from the various Latin American States, is determined to bring the legality and the feasibility of the proposal to a successful issue.
I mention these remarks by an official of the Foreign Office to the Department as of casual interest only.
Generally speaking, the attitude of the Chilean press remains as previously reported—the governmental organs mildly favorable, El Imparcial and papers of the opposition very critical in their comments on the Joint Resolution.
With reference to my cable message No. 50 of August 18, 11 a.m., reporting a conversation with the Brazilian Ambassador, I beg to report that there is published in the Santiago press of today, the 20th instant, a statement handed to the Foreign Minister by the Brazilian Ambassador here. This statement was released by the Brazilian Government to the press of Bio de Janeiro on the 15th instant and doubtless is already known to the Department.
There has appeared also in the Santiago press this morning the joint statement by the Governments of the United States and Brazil which forms the subject of the Department’s telegraphic circular of August 19, 7 p.m.
It is to be hoped that this frank announcement will not occasion a fresh outbreak of editorial fireworks so dear to the Latin American heart.
The Brazilian Ambassador has told me over the telephone that he has read the statement with very great pleasure. Other press news from the United States indicates that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs has expressed the opinion that there is small probability of the proposal for the leasing of destroyers being approved by that body.
As of probable interest to the Department, I beg to transmit with this copies and translations of editorials on the question of the leasing of destroyers from El Mercurio of the 17th instant, La Nación of the 18th instant, El Imparcial and La Hora both of the 19th instant.22
No editorial comment on the joint American-Brazilian statement has yet appeared here.
Respectfully yours,