Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The American Republics, Volume V

740.0011 European War 1939/1181: Telegram

The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to the Secretary of State

Rio de Janeiro, December 16, 1939—10 a.m.
[Received December 16—5:57 a.m.]

435. My 434, December 15, midnight. Aranha himself wrote following as result of his conversation with Cantilo:

“Either to (1) (a) allow Uruguay to decide on the Von Spee matter in accordance with her laws and interests and support the decision to the extent it may be necessary (b) immediately after the Uruguayan decision to direct a protest along the lines suggested in Department’s circular telegram, December 15, 1 p.m. or to (2) advise Uruguay to adopt an attitude similar to that prescribed in article 22 of the Brazilian Neutrality Laws²⁰ for such cases and request American support in accordance with the Panama Declaration.”

Caffery

20. See Regras Gerais de Neutralidade, Bulletin de L’Institut Juridique International, vol. 42, January 1940, p. 111; Estados Unidos do Brasil, Diário Oficial (Secção 1), September 1, 1939, pp. 21265–21266.