814.01/11–1844: Circular telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics Except Argentina, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua
Reference Deptel circular November 4, 7 p.m. You are requested in strict confidence to inform the Foreign Minister of the Government to which you are accredited that from the information available to the Department, the situation in El Salvador still appears obscure.
Department’s information indicates general strike has subsided but Mortgage Bank, a center of political controversy, has not yet reopened. The mass of public opinion appears opposed to present government, and newspapers are critical. Thus, while Aguirre régime appears to hold control of machinery of Government there [Page 1110] is open popular resistance and the stability of the regime appears to be by no means assured.
While there is no evidence to establish that the overthrow of Menéndez was inspired by the Axis as such, Aguirre himself and several of his Cabinet are considered in El Salvador to have totalitarian sympathies. Menéndez has recently issued a statement declaring he was made to resign by force rather than because of ill health as was alleged.
Although Aguirre régime has indicated its intention to co-operate in the war effort, it has not as yet agreed fully to assume all of its international obligations.
Molina has established a self-styled government in exile in Guatemala and is seeking recognition. He has recently been joined there by Arturo Romero, leading civilian presidential candidate.
In their replies to the Department’s previous telegrams concerning recognition, the American Republics while agreeing (except for Honduras and Nicaragua which have already recognized the Aguirre régime) that action should be withheld for the moment, are not in full accord as to the basis on which it should be extended. Some countries hold that recognition should not be granted to other than a democratic régime, although this attitude would perhaps imply a departure from hemisphere undertakings regarding non-intervention and a broadening of the scope of the consultations envisaged by Resolution 22 of the Montevideo Committee. Other countries have been more disposed to follow the principle of the Estrada doctrine.56
Please convey the above comments to the Foreign Minister and request an expression of his views, as the Government of the United States is desirous of determining its attitude in full consultation and in solidarity with the other nations of the hemisphere.
Montevideo please inform Sanders. The foregoing telegram has been sent to all the American Republics except Argentina, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua (the latter two having already extended recognition). Repeated to Buenos Aires, San Salvador, Tegucigalpa, and Managua for information. Tegucigalpa and Managua may at their discretion convey the substance of the above to their Foreign Ministers for information.
- Doctrine concerning governmental recognition set forth by Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs Genaro Estrada, in 1930; see American Journal of International Law, vol. xxv (1931), pp. 719–723. See also Institute Americano de Derecho y Legislación Comparada, La Doctrina Estrada (Mexico, 1930).↩