710.Consultation (3)/254c: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Armour)
23. From the Under Secretary. The prime objective of this Government at the Rio Conference would be to obtain a joint declaration of all the American Republics that they feel it necessary to sever all relations with the Axis powers.
It seems inconceivable in view of existing inter-American agreements, in view of the pledges of solidarity recently given and in view of the fact that 10 American Republics are now at war because of acts of aggression committed against one of them, that the territory of other American republics can continue to be used by agents diplomatic and consular of the Axis powers when the prime purpose of these agents is to instigate subversive movements, to report to their governments upon the defense measures and preparations of all of the American republics, to report upon the movements of American or Allied ships so that these may be sunk at sea, and to create a never ending threat to the security of the nations engaged in war. It seems therefore in simple terms that the action proposed would be the minimum required on the part of the Republics which have not broken relations if the term solidarity is to be anything other than an empty phrase.
For your strictly confidential and personal information I have received assurances so far from all of the Republics except Chile and Argentina that they will support the United States in this objective.
I have received word this morning from Aranha that he has come to the conclusion that it would be expedient for this Government to submit the following draft resolution to the Argentine Foreign Minister through you for the latter’s information.
[Here follows text of draft resolution which is the same, except for last paragraph, here printed, as that quoted in telegram No. 1, January 1, 3 p.m., to the Ambassador in Uruguay, page 9.]
[“] Fourth. Consequently, they announce that by reason of their solidarity and for the purpose of protecting and preserving the freedom and integrity of the twenty-one Republics of the Americas, relations, whether political, commercial, or financial, can no longer be maintained by any of them with Germany, Italy, and Japan, and they likewise declare that they will individually take such further steps for the defense of the New World as may in each instance seem to each of them desirable and practicable.”
Please confer with the Minister before his departure and say to him after having made orally the general explanation above outlined that I am anxious that he be informed of this draft in view of the message which he was kind enough to send to me yesterday through [Page 24] Espil. (This message is being reported to you in a separate telegram.58) On account of the very close and friendly relations between our two countries I trust that I may have the opportunity of conferring with the Minister upon this and other problems to be discussed at the Conference immediately after my arrival in Rio de Janeiro. Please report by telegram urgently any comments that may be made to you. [Welles.]
- Infra.↩