810.00/9–2948

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of American Republic Affairs (Daniels)

Last night I mentioned to Ambassador Nabuco1 my continuing concern at the state of tension in the Caribbean and Central American area, as represented by repeated rumors of invasion plans and revolutionary activities being fomented in one country directed against the Government of another. I called attention to the grave danger to the Hemisphere which would ensue if an international conflagration in that area were to break out. I said that from that broader angle it might be a matter of concern to the Government of Brazil, as well as to the Government of the United States, and I raised the question as to whether the Brazilian Foreign Office might not wish to take a more active interest in the matter, possibly through its diplomatic missions in that area, with a view to re-enforcing the efforts we were already making to remove this threat to our security. I said that I wished the Ambassador and his Government to know that we did not consider this exclusively a problem for the United States and the nations in the Caribbean area, but one which might well engage the interest of Brazil and all the American republics; and that accordingly we could not but welcome any helpful initiative aimed at maintaining international peace which the Brazilian Government might wish to take.

Ambassador Nabuco expressed agreement with the foregoing line of thought, and said he would sound out the Itamaraty to see what action they might properly and usefully take. I expressed a willingness to stay in touch with him in regard to the matter.

  1. Mauricio Nabuco, Brazilian Ambassador in the United States.