740.0011 European War 1939/32530
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Bonsal)28
I wonder whether President Avila Camacho’s remarks as heard over the radio yesterday morning do not tend to solve our problem of Mexican participation in actual combat.29 The impression which I gather is that there is no great enthusiasm in the President’s mind for any large-scale Mexican participation and I should also judge that the President does not plan to take any initiative.
Heretofore our attitude has been one of receptiveness toward any Mexican initiative. It now appears to me that we should probably get together with the War Department and work out some proposal to be submitted informally through Ambassador Messersmith to President Avila Camacho. This proposal would be based upon the fact that we have at present in training sufficient ground troops for the military operations contemplated but that we would welcome Mexican assistance in the air. I think the War Department could prepare something rather specific for Ambassador Messersmith. If you think well of this idea, might it not be desirable for us to have a meeting with Colonel Hertford in order to agree upon methods of procedure.30
- Addressed to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan) and to the Liaison Officer (Wilson).↩
- The President indicated that under certain circumstances Mexican soldiers would take part in the war within Mexico or outside of the country.↩
- The following comment by Mr. Duggan appears on this memorandum: “I favor checking with Amb. M. before we discuss with War Dept.” Mr. Wilson added this notation: “I concur with Mr. Duggan. In checking with the Ambassador we should make it clear that, owing to the War Dept’s views, he should not discuss the matter now, even informally, with the Mexican officials. O. W.”↩