710.H Continental Solidarity/77: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Hull)
61. Tour 30, December 15, 9 p.m. The President asked me to let you know that he believes it would be highly desirable to have included [Page 82] statement to the effect that the American republics declare they “shall not permit any non-American state to assist or abet in the fomenting of internal disorder in any American republic”. The President appreciates that the principle contained in the phraseology above quoted is included in the phraseology quoted in paragraph 1 of your telegram under reference, but he feels that the language which he suggests is stronger and would probably have a helpful effect on public opinion throughout the continent.
I realize of course the extreme difficulties with which you have undoubtedly been confronting with regard to phraseology and that an agreement in principle may already have been reached by the respective delegations. In that event I do not believe the President would wish you to press the matter to such an extent as to risk the danger of a reopening of the entire matter, but if there is still time he feels the phraseology he has suggested would be highly desirable.
I have been somewhat surprised and concerned by the defeatist stories which have been sent up by some of the correspondents at Lima, notably the New York Times correspondents. If you feel there is anything which I might say here which might be helpful in order to correct this impression, please let me know.