714.44A15/171: Telegram
The Minister in Guatemala ( Des Portes ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:10 p.m.]
37. My telegram No. 36, April 23, 6 p.m. The British Minister informs me today that he has received a further message from the President requesting him to transmit the offer mentioned in the above telegram to his Foreign Office without comment. The President added, however, that even if this offer were rejected he trusted that the negotiations would continue, leaving aside the question of sovereignty.
This is the first clear intimation which the President has given that his contention regarding the sovereignty of Belize was advanced for horse-trading purposes and is consequently encouraging. I nevertheless respectfully suggest that I be authorized at my discretion to urge moderation upon both sides as suggested in the fourth paragraph of my telegram under reference, although the immediate necessity of making the statement suggested in that paragraph would appear to have diminished.