740.0011 Peace EW/3–1747: Telegram
The Ambassador in Mexico ( Thurston ) to the Secretary of State 70
302. 1. On March 10 Foreign Minister called me his office for purpose delivering another memo regarding Mexican contention it should participate conversations regarding treaties of peace with Germany and Austria.71 Despatch 2987, March 1072 reporting this presumably has reached Department.
2. On March 15 Foreign Office issued press release taking cognizance press reports describing developments Moscow which implied [Page 494] Albania being set off against Mexico with respect participation German-Austrian peace arrangements. This reported airgram 285,72a which will leave this evening by air courier.
3. Today Senor Torres Bodet called me Foreign Office and described at considerable length strong conviction entertained by Mexican Government it should take the place in German-Austrian arrangements it has solicited, and that in event failure gain its point it must make clear-cut statement informing Mexican public of its efforts and reasons for failure, with specific mention of country or countries responsible therefor. He then requested I endeavor obtain Department’s consent to publication by Mexican Government at opportune time that portion Embassy’s third person note dated March 7 based on Department’s instruction 867, February 27,73 which reads as follows:
“The Government of the US agrees that Mexico should be allowed to participate in the making of the treaties for Germany and Austria; and will make its position in this respect known to the other powers represented on the Council of Foreign Ministers”.74
4. Minister expressed concern lest Mexico be confronted by fait accompli of exclusion, and that this development might be presented to world as common decision of four states now conferring at Moscow. He made it clear that having obtained support of Mexico, [apparent omission] view of US and being about obtain similar support from France, should this development occur, Mexico will clearly point out state that opposed its participation. With respect this point, he inquired whether we would be willing endeavor induce British Foreign Office reply Mexican memoranda this subject. He is disposed believe their failure reply due less reluctance go counter Soviet viewpoint than inertia produced by other more pressing problems.75
5. Torres Bodet stated feels lack direct information regarding developments Moscow may work against Mexico’s interests so far as its [Page 495] claim is concerned. He does not wish impair Mexican position by premature statement that might offend Russians, for example, or give them excuse say Mexico had acted precipitately, nor does he wish withhold publication statement numbered paragraph 3 until an adverse decision has been announced with appearance of unanimity. For this reason he stated he would appreciate any information we might feel disposed to furnish that would indicate when the decision regarding Mexico has been reached.
- The text of this telegram was retransmitted in Department telegram 594, Moskco 15, March 20, to Moscow, not printed.↩
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The text of the Mexican memorandum, dated March 8, 1947, was transmitted to the Department as an enclosure to the despatch under reference here, neither printed. Foreign Minister Torres Bodet informed Ambassador Thurston that identical memoranda were being delivered to the British, French, and Soviet Ambassadors. (740.0011 EW (Peace)/3–1047)
The position of the Mexican Government with regard to Mexico’s participation in a German peace settlement was the subject of yet another memorandum, dated March 25, 1947, delivered by the Mexican Ambassador in the Soviet Union to Ambassador Smith in Moscow. The text of the March 25 memorandum was transmitted to the Department as an enclosure to despatch 95, March 31, from the Delegation of the United States to the Council of Foreign Ministers at Moscow, neither printed (740.00119 Council/3–3147). The Mexican Ambassador was assured by Ambassador Smith that the problem of the participation of Mexico and other Allied States in the German peace-making would be given consideration by the Council of Foreign Ministers.
↩ - Not printed.↩
- Not printed.↩
- The substance of the instruction under reference here was included in the note of March 6, 1947, from the Acting Secretary of State to the Mexican Ambassador, p. 195.↩
- Telegram 343, April 2, to Mexico City, not printed, stated that the Department had no objection to the publication by the Mexican Government of a portion of the instruction under reference here provided reference to the treaty with Austria was deleted (740.0011 EW Peace/3–1747).↩
- In an aide-mémoire of March 19, 1947, to the Department of State, not printed, the British Embassy stated that it appeared that the Mexican Government was demanding a place among the eighteen or nineteen Allied states which would be consulted by the Council of Foreign Ministers in the preparation of a German peace treaty. The British Embassy explained that it had been the position of the United Kingdom Government that a hearing should be given to “minor Allies such as Mexico ‘at an appropriate stage’” and that to go beyond this in regard to Mexico would lead to similar concessions elsewhere and involve further squabbles over procedure (740.0011 EW Peace/3–1947). In delivering this aide-mémoire to the Department, a British Embassy official stated that his Government was raising the question with the United States Delegation in Moscow.↩