810.20 Defense/6–240: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina ( Armour ) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 3—11:38 a.m.]
171. For the Under Secretary. Embassy’s telegram of June 1, 4 p.m. The Brazilian Ambassador has informed me that in a conversation with the Foreign Minister yesterday afternoon (apparently he was called to the Foreign Office by Cantilo just after the latter had given me his Government’s approval to the visit of Captain Spears) Cantilo had told him of the proposed visit of a United States naval officer to Buenos Aires.
I told the Ambassador that this was a matter with which the Brazilian Government was familiar and asked him to regard it as strictly confidential as I had requested Cantilo to do.
He assured me that he would do so and that in cabling his Government he would use a very confidential code.
The timing of the Brazilian Ambassador’s visit coupled with the fact that he was apparently requested to communicate with his Government leads me to believe that the Argentine Government is seeking to learn the Brazilian Government’s views prior to such discussion as may take place here.
Repeated to Rio de Janeiro.