740.00111A.R.–N.C/101: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery)
123. From the Under Secretary for Fenwick. The Argentine Embassy here has approached the Department regarding the difference of opinion among members of the Inter-American Neutrality Committee as to whether the Committee should remain in continuous session or, upon the disposition of the questions now before it, should recess subject to call at any time. Podesta Costa, with whose views it is assumed you are familiar, has communicated with the Argentine Foreign Office in regard thereto.
The Department’s position was set forth to the effect that the Inter-American Neutrality Committee should, for the duration of the war, be available to give immediate and expeditious consideration to neutrality problems as they arise. The Department does not believe that this will necessarily imply continuous sessions, but feels strongly that if the Committee recesses, it should be on a clear understanding that its members would reconvene immediately should any situation arise on which its advice and recommendations would be helpful. The Department is confident that the Committee will work out an arrangement which will provide a maximum of efficiency with a minimum of lost time on the part of its members. [Welles.]