Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, The American Republics, Volume V

740.0011 European War 1939/25630: Telegram

The Ambassador in Uruguay (Dawson) to the Secretary of State

Montevideo, November 13, 1942—3 p.m.
[Received 7:40 p.m.]

996. For the Under Secretary from Spaeth No. 43. Reference is made to the statement in the Department’s cable no. 669 of November 7, 7 p.m.,³⁹ that one objective of the total effort being made in support of the North African campaign is to “immediately consolidate hemisphere solidarity against the Axis by having Chile and Argentina break relations”. For the Department’s consideration of the contribution which the Committee might make to the realization of this objective I submit the following tentative draft resolution subject to appropriate textual changes including those necessary to protect codes.

“Whereas:

(a) The Second Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, at Habana, Cuba,⁴⁰ found that the political activities of diplomatic agents of certain non-American powers accredited to the American Republics constituted a threat to the defense and security of the continent and resolved in Resolution II (quote last paragraph of Resolution II of Habana).⁴¹

(b) The efforts of the American Republics pursuant to Resolution II of Habana failed to prevent propaganda, espionage and other political activities by the diplomatic agents of the States members of the Tripartite Pact, and in recognition of the danger to the security of the hemisphere caused by the continuance of such activities the Third Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs resolved unanimously to recommend the breaking of diplomatic relations with Japan, Germany and Italy.

(c) Eleven of the American Republics are now at war with States members of the Tripartite Pact and nineteen of the American Republics have broken diplomatic relations with said States.

(d) The diplomatic representatives of the Tripartite Pact accredited to the Governments of Argentina and Chile continue to disseminate Axis propaganda, to direct and participate in espionage, and to carry on other political activities in violation of Resolution II adopted at the Second Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and in flagrant disregard of international law and the [apparent omission] these two American Republics.

(e) The studies of the Emergency Advisory Committee for political defense demonstrate that the political defense of the hemisphere, pursuant to Resolution XVII, adopted unanimously at the Third Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, is apt [to] continue to be seriously endangered so long as any American Republic maintains diplomatic relations with the Axis.

(f) The studies and reports appended hereto demonstrate conclusively that the presence in any country of the Western Hemisphere of diplomatic representatives of the States members of Tripartite Pact seriously threatens the gigantic war effort of other United Nations, constitutes a source of internal weakness and a grave and constant menace to the peoples of each and every one of the American Republics, and nullifies the principles and spirit of continental solidarity and reciprocal assistance pledged by all the republics at the Third Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

The Emergency Advisory Committee for Political Defense Resolves:

1. To report to the Governments of the American Republics that responsibilities of the Emergency Advisory Committee for Political Defense under Resolution XVII in the struggle against subversive activities cannot be effectively discharged so long as any Axis diplomatic representative continues to be accredited to any American Republic, and that the presence of such diplomatic representatives in the Western Hemisphere constitutes a threat to the security and defense of all of the American Republics.

2. To recommend to the Presidents of the nineteen American Republics which have severed diplomatic relations with the Axis that they present a joint appeal to the Governments of Argentina and Chile urging those Governments to terminate their diplomatic relations with States members of the Tripartite Pact.”

The studies and reports referred to in paragraph F might include a report on subversive activities in Argentina and a report specially prepared to indicate political activities of Axis diplomats in both Argentina and Chile. If, however, the publication of such reports were deemed inexpedient at this time, the resolution could be used without reference to specific reports. [Spaeth.]

Dawson

39. Not printed.
40. See Foreign Relations, 1940, vol. v, pp. 180 ff.
41. The Ministers for Foreign Affairs resolved to urge the governments of the American Republics to prevent diplomatic or consular agents from engaging in activities endangering peace. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, August 24, 1940, p. 130.