Office of the Historian

835.01/4–345: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics

Washington, April 3, 1945—8 a.m.

Re Department’s circular telegram, March 31, 1945. At my staff meeting on March 31, it was further agreed that recognition of Argentina would not commit us in any way to sponsorship of Argentina’s adherence to the United Nations Declaration until there was agreement that from a world, as well as a hemispheric point of view, it was warranted.

For your background information, at a meeting of Ambassadors of twelve leading other American Republics, called by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil,28 at Blair House on March 15, agreement was reached upon the following program of action in pursuance of the Mexico City resolution on Argentina:

“Articles 1, 3, 5 and 6 by their nature and purpose constitute a single declaration.

It shall be acknowledged that the Argentine Nation has accepted the invitation implied in the above articles when her government shall have:

(a)
Declared by decree the existence of a state of war with Germany and Japan;
(b)
Expressed conformity with the principles and declarations of the Final Act and complied with such principles and declarations;
(c)
Signed the Final Act of Mexico City at the Pan American Union.

The Argentine Government will then:

(a)
Be recognized by the Governments of the American Nations and
(b)
The United States as the depository state will request that Argentina be invited to sign the Joint Declaration of the United Nations.”

[Page 374]

The Embassy in Buenos Aires reports that the Argentine Government issued two important decrees on April 1. The first calls for special registration within 10 days of all nationals of enemy countries over 14 years of age and also the registration within 30 days of all of those of enemy origin who have been naturalized as Argentines. The decree also calls for the surrender of radios and restricts freedom of movement and communication of such persons. The second is a long and involved decree relating to the control of enemy firms. Its provisions have not as yet been adequately analyzed.

The information contained above, except that referring to my staff meeting, may be used for background purposes.

E. R. Stettinius, Jr.
  1. Pedro Leão Velloso.↩