710.D4/227

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Guatemala ( McMillin )

No. 486

Sir: Reference is made to your despatch No. 158, dated February 16, 1921, referring to the denunciation by Guatemala of the Convention between the United States and Other Powers for the Protection of Trade Marks, signed at Buenos Aires on August 20, 1910.

It has been noted that Guatemala assigned as reasons for its denunciation of the Convention that they received no especial benefit from their participation in it, and because of loss of revenue.

The Director of the International Bureau (northern group) at Habana, Cuba, recently stated that with the rapid increase of the revenues of the Bureau at Habana, the small contributions heretofore requested of the governments composing the northern group will not be necessary in the near future.

According to your despatch above referred to, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that if it seemed best to other nations concerned that the pact should be renewed, Guatemala would be disposed to take up the matter and reenter it.

You are requested to discuss this matter informally with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, endeavoring to persuade the Guatemalan Government to formally withdraw its intention of denunciating the [Page 166] Convention, indicating the desirability of maintaining the Convention intact.

There is enclosed herewith a memorandum57 prepared in the Department by a conference consisting of representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, Patent Office, and the Department of State, upon the desirability of obtaining the withdrawals of the denunciations heretofore sent to the Minister of Foreign Relations and Worship at Buenos Aires by the Governments of Guatemala and Nicaragua.

A similar instruction has been transmitted to the American Legation at Managua.58

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Alvey A. Adee
  1. Memorandum not found in Department files.
  2. Not printed.