810.20 Defense/5–2940: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Armour)
82. From the Under Secretary. Your 163, May 29, 3 p.m. I intended to make it clear in the original telegram sent to you that all that was envisaged in the suggested conversations was a discussion as to exactly what each American Republic would be prepared and able to undertake in the way of defense measures should an act of aggression by a non-American power be committed which the continent would be obligated to repel. With regard to the Argentine Government, the problem would be specifically limited to the naval strength which the Argentine Government would be able to utilize in protecting its own coasts and perhaps the coasts of Uruguay from alien aggression.
I am unable to understand the statement in the first paragraph of your telegram under reference “that an ill-prepared offense would constitute the poorest form of defense and only tend to invite attack”.
As indicated in the Department’s telegram No. 80, May 29, 3 p.m., conversations of the character suggested are to be undertaken immediately and the suggestion made by this Government has now been welcomed by the Governments of Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Uruguay, the only governments other than Argentina in South America so far consulted.
If, in view of the considerations set forth in the last paragraph of your telegram under reference, you feel it would be preferable to let the matter rest, the Department will be prepared to abandon the idea of having Captain Spears proceed to Buenos Aires for the purpose mentioned.
It would be inadvisable for you to discuss with the Argentine authorities the details of any replies received from other governments, notably Brazil, as mentioned in the penultimate paragraph of your telegram. [Welles.]