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  4. Document 1203

612.116/6–2744

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

No. 18,449
Mexico, D.F., June 27, 1944.
[Received July 1.]

Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s restricted instruction No. 5820, of June 12, 1944, concerning the Mexican decree of May 12, 1944, providing for the control of imports into Mexico, [Page 1230] in the last paragraph of which the Department states that it desires to receive the Embassy’s view as to whether a formal protest should be made at this time and its comment concerning the reaction of Mexican importers whose interests would be affected by this measure.

In this connection I should bring to the attention of the Department this Embassy’s despatch No. 18,369, of June 24, 1944, which covers the most recent conversations which the Economic Counselor of the Embassy, Mr. Lockett, and I had with the Minister of Hacienda, and from which it will be seen that a formal protest is not necessary at this time. I think the Department will agree that the steps which are outlined in this despatch with respect to this decree of May 12, 1944, are more effective and desirable than a formal protest, which in any event I do not believe would be justified under the circumstances.

I would respectfully bring to the attention of the Department a restricted and confidential letter dated June 26 which I have written to Secretary Hull82 which should be considered in connection with my despatch No. 18,369, of June 24. I think the Department will be particularly interested in my letter to Secretary Hull of June 26.

The Department may be assured that we shall follow the matter of this decree of May 12, 1944, with the greatest care and shall keep it informed of any developments which may be of interest.

Respectfully yours,

G. S. Messersmith
  1. Not printed; of particular relevance in this letter is Ambassador Messersmith’s comment: “We would have no basis for making a formal protest, for up to now the decree is inoperative, and it becomes operative only when certain articles are placed on the list falling under the decree. No such lists have been issued …” (612.113/6–2644).↩