740.00111 A Neutrality Patrol/42

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Guatemala (Cabot)

No. 357

Sir: The Declaration of Panama1 enunciated at the recent Consultative Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the American republics provides in the fourth article thereof that:

“The American Republics, during the existence of a state of war in which they themselves are not involved, may undertake, whenever they may determine that the need therefor exists, to patrol, either individually or collectively, as may be agreed upon by common consent, and in so far as the means and resources of each may permit, the waters adjacent to their coasts within the area above defined. (Approved, October 3, 1939.)”

You may inform the Guatemalan Government that this Government has concluded that the need existed for a patrol of the waters adjacent to the coasts of the United States and accordingly established and at present is maintaining such a patrol. While the decision as to the need for a patrol of the waters adjacent to the coasts of the other American republics is obviously a matter for the determination of the governments of those countries, this Government believes that the institution of a patrol of the waters comprehended within the zone specified in the Declaration of Panama is very desirable, if not essential. If the Government of Guatemala likewise believes in the desirability of such patrol and would welcome the assistance of this Government in order that the patrol might be of a collective nature as contemplated in the paragraph referred to, this Government would be very glad to cooperate with the Government of Guatemala by making available from time to time its vessels and aircraft.

You are requested to discuss this situation informally with the appropriate officials of the Guatemalan Government along the lines set forth in the previous paragraph and if the Guatemalan Government is desirous of establishing a collective patrol, it is believed that it would be desirable if arrangements could be concluded to grant a [Page 49] general authorization for flights by aircraft of this Government over the territory of Guatemala, with any necessary landings at airports, and for entrance into its territorial waters of vessels of the United States Navy in connection with the carrying out of the observation patrols contemplated. You should explain in your conversation that notification will be made to the Government of Guatemala as far in advance as possible, although urgent cases may arise when information regarding the flights or visits can be furnished only after they have taken place. You should emphasize that in any event complete information with regard to the designation of planes, names of vessels and commanding officers, and the location or area to be visited will be furnished as promptly as possible. You should also inform the officials of the Guatemalan Government with whom you discuss this matter that the general authorization requested will be terminated at the earliest possible date. At the same time please endeavor to make it clear that the proposed general authorization for observation flights is not intended to affect in any way the existing blanket arrangement with the Government of Guatemala in accordance with which through flights of service planes over Guatemalan territory to or from the Canal Zone may be made upon notification given through the Legation.

You may also inform the officials with whom this matter is taken up that similar agreements have been concluded in principle or are being discussed with the governments of the other Central American countries and certain of the countries in the Caribbean area.

If a favorable response is accorded to your oral request, it is believed that it would be desirable to embody the terms and conditions of the understanding in an exchange of informal memoranda with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. You are requested to inform the Department promptly of the result of your conversation and to forward the texts of any communications exchanged on the subject.

For your own information and guidance, in informing the War and Navy Departments of any arrangements for general authorizations for emergency observation patrols which may be concluded, the Department will make it clear that the authorizations are under no circumstances to be used for indiscriminate visits to the countries concerned, and that our missions and local foreign officials will under no circumstances be expected to make arrangements for entertainment of visiting Army and Navy personnel.

A similar instruction has been sent to the American Legations in Managua, San José, San Salvador and Tegucigalpa.2

Very truly yours,

For the Secretary of State:
Sumner Welles
  1. Ante, p. 36.
  2. To Nicaragua as instruction No. 299; to Costa Rica as No. 296; to El Salvador as No. 209; and to Honduras as No. 221; all dated December 21.