824.00/3286
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Mexican Affairs (McGurk)93
The Warren report was distributed June 3 to both the local embassies of the American republics and to our Ambassadors for delivery to their Foreign Ministers. It was anticipated that delivery would be made to the more distant countries such as Chile and Uruguay by June 9 or 10. They have all had an opportunity by today’s date to have studied the report and to have come to some conclusions on it.
We have definite indications from 5 countries that they desire immediate recognition. These are Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. Venezuela had notified us that she would recognize Bolivia at 10 a.m. June 12, today. Ambassador Corrigan was reached by telephone by the Department, and the necessity was impressed upon him of inducing Venezuela to postpone recognition until there should have been a reasonable opportunity for an exchange of views by the American republics. This he was successful in doing, and Venezuela has now informed us that she wishes to make her announcement of recognition simultaneous with our own.
The attitude of Brazil is known. The Department had a telephone call from Ambassador Caffery over the week end stating that Aranha desired to know immediately what our views were with regard to Bolivia and recognition in as much as he had had several inquiries [Page 465] from other countries as to his own. The Department instructed Ambassador Caffery to advise Aranha that we would keep him fully informed and that we thought it advisable to allow a little more time for consultation, and that we especially desired to give Mexico and Cuba an opportunity to submit for the information of all concerned the findings of their special representatives sent to Bolivia on a mission similar to that of Ambassador Warren.
We have not as yet been furnished information by Mexico and Cuba as to the result of the investigations of their respective special representatives sent to Bolivia. We have, however, informal indications from both countries that they are favorable to recognition.
Uruguay is in a peculiar position in so far as recognition is concerned. Ambassador Blanco informed Mr. Duggan on June 9 that he personally is in favor of recognition at once, but that he would inform us immediately he receives the views of his Government.
We should have within the next few days a complete exchange of views. It is probable that, without exception the American republics will wish to extend recognition to the present Bolivian provisional government. The only question is as to the time. As to this, it would appear that, with very few exceptions, the consensus of opinion Would time recognition as soon as possible and before the elections.
P.S.—Since the drafting of this memorandum, the Costa Rican Foreign Minister has stated that in his opinion recognition is now justified.
- Addressed to the Secretary of State and the Under Secretary.↩