710.Consultation(2)/394: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Norweb) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:42 p.m.]
104. Embassy’s telegram 102, July 17, 4 p.m. Following is a translation of the “Memorandum concerning the proposed convention to be presented to the meeting at Habana with respect to possessions of European nations in America”.
“The Peruvian Chancellor considers the original convention advantageous. It is to be hoped that it will be accepted by all of the nations but if some changes are suggested it would be necessary to modify the convention since a unanimous solution of the matter is a requisite as a manifestation of American solidarity.
The Chancellor of Peru believes that he may express the opinion that the American Republics are taking joint action by means of this convention in defense of the proclaimed principles of Pan-Americanism which are: Independence and sovereignty of each of the American Republics; the maintenance of peace in the Americas, and the elimination of the principle of force in international relations.
The drafting of the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by non-American States should be unconditional suppressing the mention of the word ‘force’ in sub-paragraph A of paragraph 1 of the draft of convention; there should be also eliminated the last sentence of sub-paragraph F of paragraph 1, dealing with the future return of territories to the so-called ‘original Spain [sovereigns]’ since it is necessary to keep alive the hope that the colonial regime in America may disappear.
It also might be suggested that the word ‘interest’ be eliminated in sub-paragraphs B and C of 1 of the draft of convention as unnecessary and because it lends an elastic interpretation which would depart from the objective sought, which is the maintenance of the ‘status’ (sic).
With respect to paragraph 8 of the convention it should enter into force when it shall have been ratified by the United States of America, [Page 235] two-thirds of the countries north of the Canal and including Panama, two-thirds of the South American Republics, and two-thirds of the insular countries.
As concerns the proposed resolution it seems that if it is necessary to establish the provisional collective trusteeship the matter should be handled by a committee constituted of representatives of at least a majority of the American States and not by a committee of a few members.”
The phraseology of the last paragraph may indicate some doubt on Peru’s part of the necessity for emergency action contemplated by the resolution.
Not repeated to Habana.60
- Repeated to Habana by the Department in telegram No. 10, July 22, 1940, 2 p.m.↩