740.0011 Pacific War/1148
The Minister in El Salvador (Frazer) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 15.]
Sir: In amplification of the Legation’s despatch no. 1889 of December 10, 1941,54 regarding the Salvadoran Government’s declaration of war on Japan, I have the honor to report that the Salvadoran [Page 93] public is unquestionably whole heartedly in favor of its Government’s action and that its sentiments are sincerely and warmly pro-United States.
In the afternoon of December 8, a crowd of about two thousand persons spontaneously gathered in front of the Legation and cheered the United States.
At five o’clock in the afternoon of December 9, a rally, organized by the Pro Patria Party (the Government Party) was held in the Parque Barrios in San Salvador. It has been variously estimated that there were from 15,000 to 25,000 participants, many of whom wore the Salvadoran colors, carried American and British flags, or “V” labels. President Martínez, Cabinet Ministers, high Pro Patria Party officials, and members of the Diplomatic Corps (including the staff of this Legation), gathered on the balcony of the National Palace which overlooks the Park. President Martinez, before a loud speaker and microphone, addressed the mass meeting first. He declared that El Salvador was at war, that the people must realize the real meaning of the word “war”—hate and the destruction of culture. He went on to say that El Salvador had declared war in defense of the most precious of treasures, Liberty. “For the defense of America” he said, “there will be no sacrifices, for the pleasure of doing what honor and dignity demand, is not a sacrifice. What do you prefer to be, slaves or free men?” To which the crowd shouted “free men!”
In my absence, First Lieutenant Moscoso, the Assistant Military Attaché to the Legation, who has perfect command of Spanish, then expressed the sincere appreciation of the United States for the attitude of friendship of the Salvadoran Government and people. He was followed by Dr. Lázaro Arévalo Vasconcellos, Attorney General of the Republic, who, as President of the Pro Patria Party, expressed his Party’s full support of the Government. After several other short patriotic speeches, the demonstration was concluded with cheering for El Salvador, the United States, and Great Britain.
Similar mass meetings, organized by the Pro Patria Party, were held simultaneously in every other city and town of the Republic.
In the evening of December 11, several hundred students of the University of El Salvador held a demonstration in front of the Legation, at which I and the leaders of the students made short speeches of friendship for the United States, followed by the usual “vivas.”
Since the news of war with Japan became known, the Legation has continued to receive a great number of telegrams from organizations and private persons, expressing their abhorrence of Japan’s treacherous aggression and their deep sympathy for the United States.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩