810.20 Defense/6–1340

The Chargé in Venezuela (Scott) to the Secretary of State48
No. 352

Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday discussed with me the question of the forthcoming consultations with respect to coordination of efforts in the event aggressions should occur in the Western Hemisphere. (Reference to the Department’s Strictly Confidential telegram No. 50, May 23, noon.)

The Foreign Minister stated that he talked this matter over at length with the President and that they were agreed as to the necessity of working out a sound defense policy. The time element, however, was now becoming of paramount importance and it might be fatal to use too much time in long preliminary conversations on details when it was of the greatest urgency to determine questions of general policy.

“The initiative in this respect should come clearly from the United States,” he said. “We are not in a position to determine policy but must be ready to follow the suggestions which the United States makes concerning our contribution to the defense of the continent.”

The Minister then voiced the fear that the officers who are to discuss military matters would have no authority to elucidate American policy but would confine their efforts chiefly to obtaining data on Venezuela. Such data would then be analyzed at length by our General Staff and in the meantime much time would be lost. He expressed the opinion that Germany… would shortly undertake some form of aggression in the Western Hemisphere. Such aggression he felt would commence with a drive on South American countries either in the form of fifth column activities, sabotage or attempts of pro-German elements to control the country politically. He stated that Venezuela was sound and strong up to the elections in April 1941 but that an uncertain situation would arise at that time. He again stressed [Page 177] the great urgency for the help and cooperation of the United States in working out a plan of defense as soon as possible.

I informed the Minister that I felt certain that the officers who would visit Venezuela had a mission much broader than merely that of gathering information; that they were being sent to help and cooperate in every way; that a start had to be made on the problem, and that this seemed an appropriate way to begin. I assured him that the United States was very much alive to the dangerous trend of world events as they might affect South American countries but that I would be glad to transmit faithfully to the Department the observations which he had just made.

Respectfully yours,

Winthrop R. Scott
  1. Printed from carbon copy. Original not found in Department files. No receipt date indicated.