710.Consultation(2)/41: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil ( Caffery )
178. From the Under Secretary. Your 297, June 21, 4 p.m. Please tell Aranha from me that this Government has never had any idea that the consultative meeting could be held on June 26. That date was suggested by the Cuban Secretary of State without consulting with anyone so far as I know. In our opinion the date could not possibly be before the 17th of July which is the earliest date upon which the Chilean, Argentine and Uruguayan delegates could arrive in Habana unless they proceeded by airplane which some of them are unwilling to do.
Please tell Aranha further that the only 5-point program of which I know is one likewise suggested by the Cuban Secretary of State.24 I have not discussed any program with Espil other than to indicate that undoubtedly subjects in addition to the question of European possessions in the Western Hemisphere would have to be taken into consideration. I mentioned that in my own judgment economic cooperation was of outstanding importance. Finally please tell Aranha, as I said to the Brazilian Ambassador yesterday, that as soon as this Government has reached its own ideas as to the subjects which should be discussed, I will immediately communicate our proposals to Aranha as I did before the Panama meeting in order to obtain the benefit of his advice and suggestions and to know whether the Brazilian Government has any additional plans in mind.
I think it is likely that Secretary Hull will attend the meeting. [Welles.]