710 Conference (W & PW)/2–2645: Telegram
The American Delegation to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received February 27—11:55 a.m.]
256. From the Secretary. Members of the United States delegation met at 9 a.m., February 24th. General Embick announced that joint Chiefs-of-Staff were in agreement that the Colombian resolution regarding non-aggression was entirely satisfactory in that if approved it would constitute a regional pact which could be integrated into the world security system. General Embick will consult with the Secretary at the earliest opportunity concerning this matter.
Mr. Rockefeller reported that Argentine influence seeking to break up the solidarity with which the principal American Governments view the Argentine Government was meeting with no success. United States Steering Committee met at Reforma Hotel 2 p.m., February 24 discussing fully topics of Inter-American solidarity. General Embick, Dr. Pasvolsky and Judge Hackworth joined in free discussion outlining respectively the importance of this subject from a military, political and economic viewpoint. It was determined that the solidarity of the Americas is essential to the defense of the United States.
There followed a discussion concerning the feasibility of accepting the Uruguayan and Colombian proposals. The Colombian proposal provides for collaboration of the American Republics against any active aggression; and a saving clause encompasses modification upon the creation of a world organization. Ambassador Berle and Judge Hackworth will consult between themselves and with Dr. Pasvolsky on the matter of immediate application of the Colombian resolution, which provides for joint alternative action against an aggressor following consultation.
Resolution regarding military cooperation also was approved by this Committee.
1. Sub-committee of Committee III (Inter-American system) dealing with matters pertaining to Inter-American organization conducted a discussion concerning the proposals relating to Inter-American solidarity against aggression made by Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia. A sub-committee composed of representatives of Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico and the United States was appointed to consider these proposals.
Committees IV and V on postwar economic and social problems of the war and transitional period were instructed to continue their discussion of economic topics, and Mr. Clayton will on Tuesday February 27 make a statement of principles underlying Inter-American economic relations.
[Page 129]At a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Conference held at 10:30 a.m., February 26 Dr. Padilla, the Chairman, announced that certain groups are exerting considerable pressure to the end that the Conference resolve upon a break with Spain. He said that Mexico would not be involved in such a contingency since his country maintains no diplomatic relations with the Spanish Government. He added his opinion that the matter might possibly be satisfactorily disposed of by a statement that the Conference does not deal with matters in which this Continent is not involved. The Uruguayan delegate held that the Conference should pass a resolution welcoming the establishment of a democratic system in Spain, alleging that this would be desirable because of the interest in Spanish affairs of the American nations who are actively engaged in the war, and in view of Spain’s proximity to a theater of the war but he expressed the belief that any country regardless of its location has a full right to oppose the establishment or continuation of a Nazi or Fascist Government wherever this might be. He preferred to use the term “Democratic system” rather than “Republican”, since it would permit Spain to establish a constitutional monarchy if that is what it desires. A full discussion resulted in the unanimous adoption of Dr. Padilla’s suggestion, and the Uruguayan delegate withdrew his views.
Please repeat essence of this and future summaries to President. Also, I suggest if not already done that this summary and previous and future ones be turned over to information committee for preparation of appropriate circular information telegrams to our missions in the American Republics. [Stettinius.]