713.1311/277a
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Guatemala (Hanna), Temporarily in the Department
Sir: With reference to the conversations which you have had with officials of the Department concerning the approaching Central American Conference, there is set forth hereinafter for your information and guidance a statement of the policy of this Government with relation to the Conference.
1) The principal concern of the Government of the United States with respect to the Conference of Central American States is that the Conference shall be a success, at least to the extent of continuing a spirit of harmony and cooperation among the Central American States.
2) This Government is not a party to the Conference and for this and other reasons will refrain from any participation or interference in its proceedings, but, in line with our traditional policy of friendship with the Central American countries, we will not withhold any informal aid which may be welcome to the Conference and calculated to insure its success.
3) The attitude of the Legation in Guatemala will be in conformity with the foregoing. The Legation will keep the Department fully informed of developments that may take place; special situations as they may arise from time to time will be submitted for the Department’s consideration and instructions.
4) While the Department cannot commit itself to accept for its guidance any rule or principle for the recognition of governments in Central America before such rule or principle has’ been agreed to by the Central American Governments themselves, and fully considered by the United States, it will view with sympathy any reasonable guide for recognition to which all the Central American countries may agree and which promises to encourage orderly, constitutional government, and a continuance of friendly relations among them.
[Page 442]While the foregoing expresses the Department’s attitude it may not be advisable to make it known to the delegates at the Conference. On the contrary, it would seem more advisable to endeavor to satisfy inquiries from them in this connection by a statement to the effect that any expression of the views of this Government concerning a recognition formula might be interpreted as an attempt to influence the deliberations of the Conference, an interpretation which we desire to avoid.
5) Regardless of what may be done in the matter of continuing a guide for recognition, the Conference would make a contribution to the well-being of Central America if it resulted in an agreement subscribed to by all which would insure continued cooperation, a sense of responsibility for the maintenance of stability, non-intervention in each others affairs, et cetera. The United States would be very happy to see such a result achieved.
6) As regards the aspiration towards Central American Union, the United States conceives this to be fundamentally a Central American question, but is not unsympathetic.
7) The Legation will be advised fully by cable in connection with the question of American assistance for the Central American Highway project.19
Very truly yours.