810.154/1178

Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Welles) to the Assistant Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Heath)

I am afraid that I am not at all in accord with the opinion which Mr. Beaulac expressed to Mr. James.17 I do not believe that public opinion in this country nor the Congress would sanction any recommendation by the Department of State for an additional appropriation of one million dollars by the United States as a further contribution towards the construction of the Inter-American Highway. I think any such recommendation would be bad policy.

The Central American republics, with the possible exception of Nicaragua, are now fortunately enjoying a period of increasing prosperity. I think it can logically be expected that if they are interested in the construction of the Inter-American Highway, they should use their own funds for the construction of the portion coming within their boundaries. Furthermore, as you will recall, the Inter-American Highway Convention signed recently at Buenos Aires18 provides for the creation of a special commission to recommend to all of the governments interested the ways and means of financing and of constructing the road. Pending the ratification of the Convention and the formulation of the recommendations of the special commission, I would strongly oppose any further appropriation by this Government.

S[umner] W[elles]
  1. See memorandum by Mr. Beaulac, supra.
  2. Convention between the United States and other American Republics, signed December 23, 1936, Department of State Treaty Series No. 927, or 51 Stat. 152.