733.35/21: Telegram
The Minister in Uruguay (Wright) to the Secretary of State
41. Department’s 13, July 15, 4 p.m. and 14, July 16, 3 p.m., my 39 [40?], July 16, 2 p.m. Minister for Foreign Affairs has repeatedly expressed his gratification at the willingness of the United States to use its good offices saying “nothing could be more agreeable to himself and to the President”.
Minister for Foreign Affairs after conference with President invited me to discuss the matter again this afternoon keeping in further telephonic communication with the President.
Minister for Foreign Affairs requested me to cable Department at once his desire that negotiations looking to a resumption of diplomatic relations with Argentina proceed with all possible speed owing danger in prolonging disagreements especially between conterminous countries.
Actually severance of relations has proved unpopular move in Uruguay and position of Uruguayan Government is becoming increasingly embarrassing.
Minister of Foreign Affairs suggests that “some simple solution” might be satisfactory to Uruguayan Government such as “exchange of salutes”; but believes that it should be agreed in advance that neither Government will request agreement again for the same Ambassadors. Feeling his way toward a possible plan of procedure Minister of Foreign Affairs suggested tentatively that each Government prepare a memorandum on its case including any proposals which may desire to make for a settlement and submit both memoranda simultaneously [Page 322] to the two American missions (and through them to the Department) for study. As soon as possible thereafter Ambassador Bliss and I should simultaneously open conversations with Argentine and Uruguayan Ministers of Foreign Affairs respectively on the basis of those memoranda. I asked if the Uruguayan Government would be ready to deliver such a memorandum by Tuesday and the Minister of Foreign Affairs replied that it could be delivered Monday the 18th.
As an alternative or supplementary plan Minister of Foreign Affairs suggested that two Ministers of Foreign Affairs confer personally under auspices American representatives.
Repeated to Buenos Aires.
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