710.H Continental Solidarity/60: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Hull) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 9—10:45 a.m.]
18. 1. Project on consultation. I gave Cantilo a copy of the redraft of the Argentine project as transmitted to the Department by telegram No. 11 of December 6, 2 p.m. Cantilo, while expressing himself in favor of effective and frequent consultation, raised certain questions regarding my redraft. He said that Argentina desired the greatest flexibility in any arrangement for consultation and that it should be recognized that since Argentina has special relations with Europe it is particularly desirable that the forms of any arrangement not be prejudicial to those relations. I saw Ruiz Moreno85 this afternoon who states that our redraft would receive the careful study of the Argentine delegation, that he would send me tomorrow a revised Argentine draft which he hoped we would also study carefully, that Argentine is disposed to cooperate with the United States in every way possible, that he thought the two countries would be in accord on fundamentals after understanding each other’s point of view, and that he thought agreement could be reached on form.
After talking with Cantilo I saw Mello Franco. He stated that the Argentine Government was not interested in and had no desire for any military alliance, that it is keenly desirous of building a superstructure on the foundations laid at Buenos Aires, that it is concerned by the increasing activities of foreign nations in this hemisphere, although it is not afraid of any attempt of aggression by forceful means and that it is in favor of consultation to take place regularly [Page 52] and periodically and at any time when the security, integrity or independence of any American country is threatened from any non-American source by whatever means. Mello Franco expressed himself as warmly in support of our project and stated that he would talk with Cantilo about it and endeavor to dislodge Cantilo’s misapprehension as to its purpose and objective.
I have outlined to Concha86 our project and he has expresed himself as favorable to it. He is now studying the text.
2. Concha surprised me by stating his realization that the United States was in danger and asking what action was desired of the Conference.
He obviously was under the impression that some project for an alliance would be presented by this Government. I endeavored to clear up this misapprehension by explaining our position as developed in my speech. Other delegations apparently labor under the same misapprehension, which I am endeavoring to dispel.
3. Our project for consolidation of peace machinery appears to be meeting with favorable reception.
4. Your No. 28, December 7, 6 p.m.87 Inasmuch as we are now vigorously pressing the consultative project before other delegations, it would seem desirable to confer upon but not to press the refugee matter for a few days. Discreet soundings are being made of the attitude of the several countries as suggested. Obtaining the desired information may be helped by a resolution, suggested by Cuba, condemning all persecution for racial or religious reasons and calling upon the American countries to continue to adhere to principles of tolerance.