Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The American Republics, Volume VI

812.50/406

The Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith) to the Secretary of State

[Extracts]

No. 13,159

México, D. F., September 24, 1943.
[Received September 29.]

Sir: …

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The American Commissioners³⁵ agreed that a coordinated and over-all development of the economy of Mexico, centered in a single Commission, would bring much more satisfactory results than a number of separate commissions working on specialized subjects without coordination. Mr. Taylor pointed out that the suggestion made by the Mexican Commissioners of an over-all economic commission was very similar to the way an Embassy coordinates the various activities undertaken by it. For example, an Embassy, headed by an Ambassador, is the over-all body which coordinates within itself all activities of the American Government in a given country. It has its special sections and officers that operate in specialized fields, such as the Military and Naval Attachés, the Agricultural Attaché, the Commercial Attaché, the political officers, the consular officers, etc. Although these specialized sections and officers operate in their particular fields, they are all coordinated under the supervision and direction of the Embassy and the Ambassador. Mr. Taylor pointed out that the Mexican suggestion to convert the present Industrial Commission into an over-all economic development commission was nothing other than the plan now followed by an Embassy with its various specialized sections and officers. The American Commissioners agreed with the Mexican Commissioners that the two Governments should be very urgently requested to consider the present Commission as a continuation of the former Mexican-American Commission for Economic Cooperation, with facilities as broad as those of the latter.

In summary, the points being placed before the Department for action are, 1) that the present Industrial Commission be considered as a continuation of the Mexican-American Commission for Economic Cooperation, with facilities as broad as those of the latter and with a field of action as vast as may be necessary for the study of the general problems of economic cooperation between the two countries, and 2) that the name of the present Commission be changed to Mexican-American Commission for Economic Cooperation.

There is one additional important point to which the Department’s attention is respectfully directed. During discussions between the American and Mexican Commissioners, there was always an emphasis on the importance of a rapid clearance of recommendations which would be made by the Commission through the Embassy to the Department and then to the claimant and licensing Agencies of our Government. A copy of all recommendations and other documents pertaining to the Commission will be forwarded through the Department to the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. At the same time, the regular number of copies are being forwarded for the use of the Department. The members of the Commission here in Mexico and the officers of the Embassy charged with such work will study and examine each recommendation which is forwarded to Washington. As always, on recommendations of importance the Ambassador will be fully consulted. Under the circumstances, the Department is requested to indicate its action on the recommendations which it receives from the Embassy to the American Commissioners in Washington as quickly as possible. Messrs. Rockefeller and Taylor stated that they would confer with the Department concerning the establishment of a liaison between them and the Department with respect to these matters. Also, it was left for decision in Washington as to who, or, which Agencies or Department in Washington would be the claimant before the War Production Board. The Commission feels quite sure that it will receive the fullest cooperation of the Department relative to the rapid despatch of recommendations which are forwarded to it by the Commission through the Embassy.

The Embassy is quite confident that the Mexican-American Industrial Commission has gotten off to a rapid and successful start. The splendid cooperation and aid of Ambassador Messersmith and high officials of the Mexican Government give further assurance that the results desired by the two Presidents will be largely realized.

Respectfully yours,

For the Ambassador:

Thomas H. Lockett

Counselor of Embassy for Economic Affairs

35. Members of the Mexican-American Industrial Commission established pursuant to the report of the Mexican-American Commission for Economic Cooperation.