Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The American Republics, Volume V

740.00111A.R.–N.C./83: Telegram

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

Rio de Janeiro, April 13, 1940—11 a.m.
[Received 11:40 a.m.]

153. Fenwick to Duggan. Neutrality Committee now considering possible recommendation on inviolability of neutral postal correspondence. Draft project insists upon complete inviolability of sealed mail. This seems to me impracticable in view of large amount of contraband money orders, bills of exchange, et cetera, which can be sent that way. Lansing’s attitude during World War⁵⁵ more than ever true now a conflict of principles in which neutrals cannot press inviolability against belligerent rights to capture contraband. I am suggesting a plan by which the neutral state could guarantee certain mail bags not to contain contraband and these would be absolutely inviolable. Other mail not so guaranteed would be subject to search for contraband. This is purely tentative. [Fenwick.]

Caffery

55. See Foreign Relations, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, vol. i, p. 308; and Foreign Relations, 1916, supp., pp. 591, 604.