740.0011 European War, 1939/19143

The Secretary of State to the Bolivian Chargé (Dorado)

Sir: I have received your communication of January 29, 1942 informing me, under instructions from your Government, that the Bolivian Government has severed diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy, and Japan.

This welcome information has been given to the President of the United States and he has sent the following telegram directly to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Bolivia:

“The Chargé d’Affaires of Bolivia in Washington has officially informed this Government that Your Excellency’s Government has severed diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy, and Japan.

“This action by the Government of Bolivia reaffirms again in a very practical manner the attitude of the people and Government of Bolivia toward the aggressor nations which threaten the safety of the institutions and principles of this Hemisphere.

“The firm stand taken by Your Excellency and Your Excellency’s Government in support of practical and effective inter-American solidarity, and the very real contribution made by Your Excellency’s Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Consultative Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, have greatly strengthened the spirit of collaboration which now exists between the Republics of this Hemisphere.

“Permit me, Excellency, in sending you my own best wishes, to express my confidence in the continued effectiveness of cooperation between our two Governments in the defense of the Hemisphere.”

The firm position taken by the Bolivian Government in severing relations with Axis powers is profoundly gratifying to me personally, and I wish to express my confidence in the effective results that will inevitably flow from this increasingly strong collaboration between the Republics of the Hemisphere.

Accept [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
A. A. Berle, Jr.