810.20 Defense/1486/12
The Minister in Ecuador (Long) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 20.]
Sir: In reference to the Department’s telegrams No. 106, of August 4, 3 p.m., and Circular, of August 4, 4 p.m. I have the honor to report that no action has as yet been taken to notify appropriate authorities because of the prospective change in Government on September 1st. This means that an entire new set of officers will, in all probability, have to consider the propositions therein enumerated. Moreover, it is thought that, on account of the confidential character of the subject matter, it would be safer to await the designation of the new Cabinet, which presumably will occur some nine days prior to the visits announced in the telegrams under acknowledgement.
Should it develop that the newly appointed officials are not prepared to initiate conferences on September 9th, it might be well to consider [Page 107] the advisability of having our officials visit Ecuador at a later date. As soon as appointments are made under the new Government, the substance of the Department’s telegrams will be discussed with the appropriate authorities.
With reference to the Naval Mission, we would be pleased to receive the Department’s ideas with respect thereto and the status of negotiations concerning this Mission.
Respectfully yours,