740.00111A.R.–N.C./8: Telegram

The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to the Secretary of State

33. For the Under Secretary from Fenwick. Certain members of the Committee doubt whether the Committee has jurisdiction to consider ways and means of securing observance of the Declaration of Panama arguing that it was established solely to consider traditional neutrality laws referred to in general declaration of neutrality. I am insisting that all declarations and resolutions of Panama meeting be considered as a whole otherwise recommendations of Committee will lack reality; hence, although it must avoid political aspects of Declaration of Panama City, it should, in formulating its recommendations in respect to neutrality, take into account conditions which are obstacles to observance of declaration. Organization of work necessarily proceeds slowly due to unfamiliarity of some members with technical problems. Questions of jurisdiction to be decided Monday after which progress should be more rapid. [Fenwick.]

Caffery