865.85/365a: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Diplomatic Missions in the American Republics Except Uruguay
As you are aware, recent developments have focused the attention of the American republics upon the shipping belonging to Germany and Italy, as well as to other nations, which, on account of war conditions, has been withdrawn from normal commercial activities and is located in the ports of the American republics. The following is [Page 192] the text of a communication on this subject from the Uruguayan Foreign Minister presented to the Inter-American Financial and Economic Advisory Committee at its meeting on April 16:
[Here follows text of note of April 11 from the Uruguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Chargé in Uruguay quoted in telegram No. 152, April 12, 10 a.m., printed on page 186.]
It was agreed that the members of the Committee would submit the matter to their governments and endeavor to receive appropriate instructions for action at the next meeting of the Committee, scheduled for April 22.
The Department has given very careful consideration to this matter and plans through its representative on the Committee to present a resolution at the April 22 meeting of which the following is the preliminary text:
[Here follows text of draft resolution quoted in telegram No. 62, April 17, 7 p.m., printed supra.]
Please make this text available to the foreign minister of the government to which you are accredited, with the statement that in the Department’s opinion it meets the needs of the situation and express the hope that a resolution along these lines will receive the support of that government’s representative on the Committee.
Please add that your Government would be happy to receive any suggestions or amendments which the Foreign Minister might care to offer for its consideration. In view of the great importance of this problem it is the earnest hope of this Government that unanimity of opinion may be had on the part of all the American Governments, and that full accord may be reached prior to the next meeting of the Committee on April 22.