Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The American Republics, Volume V

611.3381/274: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Uruguay (Dwyre)

Washington, October 17, 1939—6 p.m.

63. Tour telegram no. 85, October 16, 7 p.m. You should inform the Uruguayan Foreign Minister that public notice of intention to negotiate will be released here for publication in the morning papers of October 20.¹⁵

While definitive negotiations can not be initiated until after the completion of the public hearings here, if agreeable to the Uruguayan officials it would be desirable to undertake the negotiations of the general provisions and discussion of other matters as rapidly as possible after the issuance of the public notice and the Department will instruct you shortly in this regard.

You should ascertain the attitude of the Uruguayan officials toward holding the definitive negotiations in Washington. You should state that your Government believes that this would be highly desirable. You should also state, however, that it would be desirable to avoid the arrival of a trade delegation here before the close of the period allowed for written briefs. The Department will advise you of the date on which this period will end.

With reference to that part of the Foreign Minister’s note of October 16, 1939, which states “the list of products on which the Government of the United States considers itself prepared to grant at this time concessions to the Government of Uruguay”, you should point out to the Foreign Minister that the list referred to is a list of products on which this Government will consider granting concessions to Uruguay and that, as stated in the Department’s telegram no. 60 of October 10, specific concessions can not be determined in advance of negotiations and prior to public notice and hearings in the United States.

Hull

15. Department of State Bulletin, October 21, 1939, p. 418.