740.0011 European War 1939/1294b: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Chiefs of Missions in the American Republics Except Panama
Department’s circular telegram December 18, 4 p.m. Please inform the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Government to which you are accredited that this Government is happy to state that all of the other American governments approve the text of the proposed statement transmitted in the Department’s circular above referred to. By way of improvement and without introducing new questions of principle, the Governments of Argentina and Brazil have suggested two minor amendments as follows:
(1) That there be inserted between the first and second paragraphs anew paragraph reading as follows:
“They are also informed of the entry and scuttling of the German warship in the waters of the River Plate upon the termination of the time limit which, in accordance with the rules of international law, was granted to it by the Government of the Republic of Uruguay.”
(2) That beginning with the words “in order to strengthen the system of protection in common” the next clause read “through the adoption of adequate rules, among them those which would prevent belligerent vessels et cetera”.
Inasmuch as these minor changes would seem to be noncontroversial improvements and thus should meet with the favor of the other American governments, and in order to expedite the issuance of the statement, this Government has felt that it could propose to the Government of Panama that that Government transmit the text of the statement to each of the three belligerents on Saturday, December 23, at 5 p.m. E.S.T., if prior to that time no adverse comment has been received by this Government and transmitted to the Government of Panama.
It is desirable that the text of the statement be released to the press in all countries at the time that the text is communicated by the Government of Panama to the three belligerents. Unless you receive a rush telegram in clear from the Department requesting delay for any reason, the text may be released by the Government to which you are accredited on Saturday, December 23, at 5 p.m.