740.00111 A.R./699
The Chargé in Ecuador ( Gade ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 10.]
Sir: With reference to my despatch No. 720 of October 20, 1939,60 regarding the establishment of the Ecuadorean Maritime Safety Zone, which includes the Galápagos Islands, I have the honor to inform the Department that, on November 3, the Director General of the American Union, Señor Manuel Corona Cid, interviewed the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tobar Donoso, for an article to appear in the next edition of the Union’s bulletin, the Heraldo Americano, published in Montevideo.
Señor Corona enquired whether Ecuador had negotiated [regarding] the Galápagos Islands with the United States, in view of persistent rumors to this effect in Argentina, Uruguay and other South American countries. Dr. Tobar categorically denied any negotiations whatsoever. In reply to a query as to the alleged plan of the United States Navy Department to establish a naval base in the Galápagos, Dr. Tobar declared that the Foreign Office had no official knowledge thereof.
The Director General of the American Union then enquired as to what effect the conclusions reached at the Panama Conference would have on the use of the Galápagos Islands by the United States Navy as a guaranty of American neutrality and for the defense of the zone included in Ecuadorean territorial waters. Dr. Tobar replied that the Declaration of Panama61 established the safety zone adjacent to American territory and that within this zone were included the Galápagos Islands. He added that the Declaration also stated that the American countries should agree upon the individual or collective patrol of that zone.
In conclusion, Señor Corona asked whether ports would remain open to the entry of United States warships, without prior notice or permission. The Foreign Minister in reply declared that “The entry of United States warships into ports of the Continent is subject today, as before the Panama Conference, to the same rules of international courtesy”.
Respectfully yours,