760D.61/837

The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State

No. 210

Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 198 of December 9, 1939, I have the honor to report that the declaration of the Chilean Foreign Minister [Page 135] with regard to the Russian attack on Finland has aroused active criticism in both houses of the Chilean Congress, but that no change is contemplated in the attitude of the Chilean Government.

In the House of Representatives at least two secret sessions have been held to discuss the attitude of the Foreign Office toward the Russo-Finnish situation, and the Foreign Minister has appeared to explain his policy. The motion introduced by the representative of the Conservative Youth Movement, Deputy Boizard, is still pending, but there seems to be a probability that it may remain dormant.

In the Senate the criticism has been even more acute, and on the 12th instant a motion was passed to send a resolution of sympathy to the Finnish Senate declaring the “solidarity” of the Chilean Congress “against the invasion of Finland by the Soviet Union”. According to the press the only vote cast against this motion was by the Communist Senator, Lafferte. The Radical Senators, members of the President’s own party, abstained from voting, but the Socialist Senators voted for the motion and thus disapproved the Government’s attitude.

Subsequently, however, on the 15th instant, at a joint meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the House and Senate, the Foreign Minister again discussed the question in detail, in confidence, and the session issued the following statement:

In a joint meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with several members of Congress, after a tentative examination of the facts and documents as to the guidance of the foreign policy of Chile, especially with regard to the question of Russia and Finland and of the neutrality of American countries, those present took cognizance of the ideas and action of the Government, inspired exclusively by the superior national interest in maintaining its neutrality, without any relation to the Communist Party or with any other particular party.

There are grounds for regarding this as terminating the discussions, at least for the time being; although on its face it appears to be no more than a recognition that the Government has not been motivated by political considerations. There are statements in this morning’s press that the discussion of the broad issue will be continued in Congress next week, but such discussions will presumably be contingent upon other developments.

The attitude of the various organs of the press has remained unchanged, the greater part of the criticism coming from the Rightist newspapers. While La Consigna, which has been regarded as the official organ of the Socialist Party, is against the Government on this point, the attitude of La Opinion, the rather influential Radical Socialist organ of Rossetti, supports the declaration of December 6th. El Trabajo, the Vanguardista (Nazi) organ, approves a policy of absolute neutrality, but finds the official declaration illogical and [Page 136] unconvincing. La Hora has left the question severely alone, but in a semi-editorial letter asserts that any declaration in favor of Finland would violate Chile’s pledges at the Panama Conference to observe entire neutrality.

In conversation with the Foreign Minister last evening he informed me that he and his Government are wholly resolved to maintain their position, as he feels that Chile’s interest, as well as the interest of the American Republics in general, lies in abstaining from entanglements in European affairs.

Respectfully yours,

Claude G. Bowers