Office of the Historian

414.608/6–254: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States High Commissioner for Germany (Conant)1

secret
Washington, June 10, 1954—3:50 p.m.

3487. You should attempt minimize further discussion with Government of claims possibly arising from detention ships suspected carrying arms to Guatemala (urtel 3756)2 and stress problem of preventing [Page 1164] further covert importation of arms into Guatemala requires prompt acceptance in principle of measures we proposed in Deptcirtel 440.3 Should Government persist in raising question payment of claims, you should endeavor isolate this issue and press for explicit consent or tacit approval to basic proposition. In event assurance against liability on claims becomes condition precedent to Government’s decision, you may then state Department studying U.S. legal and budgetary aspects of assuming responsibility for any actual losses resulting detention ships.

You are also authorized tell Government that principal Western maritime powers have been approached and like German Federal Government are now studying proposal, and request was sympathetically received in every country from which we have received reports. You should emphasize problem is one of urgency and express hope Government will see its way clear cooperate as requested without waiting for other Governments to act.

If you receive queries from officials why US has not taken action prevent US citizens from aiding Guatemala in procurement of arms, you may mention US taking such action.

Dulles
  1. Drafted by Mr. Leddy and Mr. Hill; signed by Deputy Assistant Secretary Woodward. Repeated for information to Stockholm, Paris, Brussels, The Hague, Lisbon, Rome, Athens, Madrid, Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki, London, and USPOLAD in Trieste; by pouch to Bern, Guatemala City, and USUN in New York.↩
  2. The referenced telegram reported that the Federal Republic’s attitude was cooperative, but that the Embassy would regard it as helpful if the Department would furnish and authorize the Embassy to convey answers to questions concerning the Federal Republic’s responsibility for claims arising from detention of ships, and which other governments had agreed to the proposal. (414.608/6–254)↩
  3. Dated May 28, 1954, p. 1137.↩