810.34 Leasing/73: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:57 p.m.]
145. Department’s circular August 19, 7 p.m. Joint statement is published in full and prominently in the local press as well as the statement of Argentine Ambassador in Brazil setting forth the attitude of his Government. Editorial comment on these two statements may be expected tomorrow.
La Razón in a very cordial and outspoken editorial last night entitled “Continental harmony has not been disturbed,” states that the attitude of the United States in the destroyer matter cannot be regarded as anything but an impartial demonstration of good will towards the nations of America and is in no way a gesture initiating a new policy to bring about the formation of coalitions among American nations. Neither Brazil nor the United States desires such a state of affairs.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs sent me yesterday a lengthy pro memoria setting forth the chronology of events here with regard to the destroyer matter which seems a sort of apologia for his previous utterances. Translation by air mail.
From this document as well as from my conversation with the Minister and others, I gather that Argentine pique may be largely explained by the fact that this country was not consulted before the [Page 165] publication of the Walsh Resolution and the adoption of the principle of lending destroyers in the same way as naval officers. Now that this pique has subsided I incline to believe the Minister may probably be beginning to regret his impetuous press statements which, I am told, he now declares were made more as a jurist than as Minister for Foreign Affairs.