814.01/10–3144: Circular telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics Except Argentina, Guatemala, and El Salvador
You are requested to convey the following comments to the Foreign Minister of the country to which you are accredited. You should also express appropriate appreciation for any comments which he may have made to you regarding the question of recognizing the new régimes in Guatemala and El Salvador.
The revolutionary Junta in Guatemala appears to be accepted as the de facto government of Guatemala without active resistance on the part of the Guatemalan people and to be in full control of the administrative machinery of the state. It has declared its intention in a formal note to our Embassy of recognizing Guatemala’s international commitments and of regularizing its status under the constitution as soon as possible. It has announced that elections will be held for a new National Assembly on November 3, 4 and 5. It appears able to carry out its undertakings. The Department has received no evidence of the Axis influence against which Montevideo Resolution XXII was directed in the forcible overturn of the previous Government.
[Page 1148]From the information which other Governments have generously cooperated in furnishing this Government, no reason to withhold recognition has been indicated. The Governments which have definitely expressed themselves regarding the question of recognition appear to be unanimously in favor of this step and several have urged action at an early date.
In view of the foregoing you are requested to ask the Foreign Minister whether his Government would be disposed to recognize the revolutionary Junta as the Government of Guatemala. In the event that the answer is in the affirmative, you should also inquire whether the Government to which you are accredited will take the step simultaneously with the Government of the United States and whether a date immediately subsequent to the above mentioned Guatemalan elections would be satisfactory for extending recognition. You will, of course, be authorized to inform the Foreign Minister of the exact time proposed by this Government for recognition in the light of its consultations with the Governments of the other American Republics.
[Here follow two paragraphs concerning the recognition of the new regime in El Salvador, printed on page 1106.]