710 Conference W and PW/1–1845
The Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 24.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s strictly confidential telegram No. 97 of January 17, 7 p.m., requesting me, unless I see serious objection, to discuss with Dr. Padilla, the Minister of Foreign Relations of Mexico, the last item of the agenda as proposed in the invitation which Mexico sent to the American states collaborating in the war effort for the Mexico City meeting. I also have to refer to the conversation which I had with Mr. Dudley Bonsal17 in the Department this morning during which conversation I gave the reasons why I thought it undesirable to raise this question with the Minister and indicated that I would not do so unless further instructed by the Department.
I transmit herewith a memorandum (enclosure No. 1)18 which covers my conversation with Mr. Bonsal this morning and in which I indicate the reasons why it would be undesirable for our Government to take up this matter with Dr. Padilla. As I indicate in this memorandum, the circumstances are such that even if our Government and the Mexican Government desired to make this change in the final item of the agenda, as proposed by Dr. Padilla, it would raise difficulties in connection with the holding of the meeting and a considerable number of the American states intending to participate in the meeting would oppose such change. I believe that the Department on consideration of the statements set forth in my conversation with Mr. Bonsal this morning and in the appended memorandum will be in agreement that it would not be advisable to raise this question.
[Page 10][Here follows a discussion on changing the date for the opening of the conference from February 15 to February 21 to enable the Secretary of State to attend.]
Respectfully yours,