740.0011 European War 1939/4173a
The Under Secretary of State (Welles) to President Roosevelt
[Washington,] June 25, 1940.
My Dear Mr. President: From personal letters
and telegrams which I have recently had from Jeff Caffery it is obvious
that the Brazilian Government is supersensitive as a result of Dr.
Vargas’ recent speech and the bitter criticism which resulted
therefrom.
In my judgment a friendly telegram from you to President Vargas at this
juncture would have very helpful results. I am submitting herewith a
suggested telegram. I believe the phrase “complete respect for the
sovereignty of one another” would be particularly useful in this
connection. If you approve the telegram, please have it sent back to me
and I will have it sent to Rio immediately.
Believe me
Faithfully yours,
[Enclosure]
Draft of Telegram From President Roosevelt to the President of
Brazil (Vargas)57
Your Excellency’s telegram to your Ambassador in Washington was duly
communicated to me. Your message was a further and gratifying proof
of the understanding and close friendship between our two nations. I
feel sure that at the forthcoming Consultative Meeting of the
Foreign Ministers of the American Republics58 the representatives of Brazil and of the United
States will cooperate once
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more in their traditional way to further the ideals of our New
World—complete respect for the sovereignty of one another and
whole-hearted cooperation in all that relates to the preservation of
the peace and security of this hemisphere and of the common welfare
of the American Republics.
Please accept the assurances of my warm personal regard.
