840.50/2797: Telegram
The Chargé in Chile (Heath) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:54 p.m.]
1815. I had a long talk with Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs regarding the proposed Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and he told me that although he personally, as a practical matter, would waive his objections, that the Chilean Government was going to instruct its Ambassador in Washington to request that the signature of the draft agreement be preceded by a brief conference, and that the draft agreement be amended to exclude the provision providing for decisions by a two-third majority vote, and that the provision regarding the Central Committee be changed to permit representatives of others than the four principal belligerents.
He said that, in making these suggestions, it was not any lack of confidence that the proposed organization would be efficient and at the same time protect the interests of small nations, but his Government was concerned both with the precedent that this plan unmodified might set for the international organization which eventually would be set up to replace the League of Nations and, more important yet, the organization which would be brought out by the opposition in Congress to this Government’s and to international organizations.
I told the Under Secretary that speaking personally I felt that he took the attitude that this was purely an inter-American project and [Page 1007] remarked that if the membership of the organization consisted only of the American Republics it perhaps might well follow the form and procedure of previous inter-American conferences; however, that the proposed Administration would be participated in by non-American powers with very decided feelings and interests. This necessitated a different attack on the problem and organization. He said that argument had not occurred to him and would be useful in meeting objections to Chile’s participation under the proposed terms. I added finally that it seemed to me the Chilean objections were based on the belief that this draft agreement and organization were something sacred which could not be modified by the Council whereas they were merely a “reasonable basis” for practical action.
The Under Secretary admitted to this belief. I thereupon suggested that he make definite inquiry through his Ambassador in Washington whether or not the Council had the power to change the terms of the draft agreement and Administration it set up when such changes appeared desirable. He said he would do so.