722.2315/1491
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Under
Secretary of State (Welles)
[Washington,] May 20,
1941.
The Ambassador of Brazil left with me the attached memorandum which
he had just received from Foreign Minister Aranha.
I asked the Ambassador to let Dr. Aranha know that I was heartily in
accord with his own views as expressed in this memorandum but that I
felt it was very important that some place be agreed upon where
representatives of the three friendly Governments as well as
representatives of Peru and Ecuador could meet in the near future so
as to give both Peru and Ecuador the assurance that something
practical was being done. Once this step had been taken, I said, the
soundings and confidential conversations back and forth could take
place in accordance with Dr. Aranha’s suggestions.
The Ambassador said he entirely agreed with my own point of view and
that he would inform Dr. Aranha accordingly.
[Annex—Telegram—Translation]
The Brazilian Minister for Foreign
Affairs (Aranha) to the
Brazilian Ambassador (Martins)
[Extract]
[Rio de Janeiro,] May 20,
1941.
I approve the text of the telegram of appeal to be sent tomorrow
to the Foreign Ministries of the Governments of Ecuador and
Peru,
[Page 228]
on the
understanding, however, that the tripartite action of the
Governments of Brazil, the United States, and Argentina can
attain some success now only if it is directed toward
establishing a modus faciendi to be
followed subsequently, since Peru, in its telegram of the 13th
of this month, does not accept discussion of the main issue,
declaring that it would accept good offices only for the purpose
of restoring the atmosphere of sincere cooperation between the
litigants. After reaching agreement on the procedure to be
followed, the three countries would seek in confidential
negotiations a formula that would reconcile the views of the
parties.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
