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  4. Document 502

714.44A15/142: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Kennedy )

Washington , March 9, 1940—6 p.m.

464. For Welles. Reference Department’s telegram no. 175, March 8, 1 p.m. to Paris. The following telegram has been received from the American Legation in Guatemala:

(Here quote first two paragraphs of telegram no. 28, March 8, 3 p.m. from Guatemala)

In stating that it makes no claim for cession of territory it is assumed that the Guatemalan Government is probably reiterating its position as set forth in its note of February 3 in which it claimed that non-compliance by Great Britain with Article seven of the 1859 treaty nullified [Page 435] the entire treaty, which was the basis for British sovereignty over Belize.

It is believed that this emphasizes the desirability of urging the British to remove the negotiations from the note writing stage by instructing their minister in Guatemala to undertake informal conversations with Dr. Salazar.

Hull