Office of the Historian

814.01/11–444: Circular telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics Except Argentina, Guatemala, and El Salvador 47

[Extract]
Washington, November 4, 1944—7 p.m.

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

The situation in El Salvador continues obscure. The former first designate48 has proceeded to the western part of the country and has proclaimed himself Constitutional President, basing his claim upon the Supreme Court’s decision holding the present régime unconstitutional. The general strike has subsided somewhat and now affects only the banks. The situation is outwardly calm but very tense, with persistent rumors of an attempt forcibly to overthrow Provisional President Aguirre. In consequence, and since all the replies received from the other American Governments have indicated concurrence, it is not proposed to recognize the present regime in El Salvador until the situation clarifies itself.

Stettinius
  1. The instruction to the Ambassador in Uruguay requested that the contents be made known to William Sanders.↩
  2. Miguel Tomás Molina.↩