710 Conference W and PW/2–1045
The Ambassador in Guatemala (Long) to the Secretary of State
[Received February [17?].]
Sir: I have the honor to report that soon after the receipt of the Department’s telegram no. 72 of February 8, 8:00 p.m.,66 I called on Dr. Muñoz Meany67 and explained to him the substance of the Department’s message under acknowledgment. He seemed quite perturbed and said that he presumed that there was nothing to do except for the Guatemalan Government to cancel the reservations made for its delegation and abstain from attending the conference. Very considerable pains were taken to reflect good reasons why Guatemala might preferably adopt a more conciliatory point of view in connection with this international meeting.
All of the arguments used in the Department’s telegram were given to the Minister in addition to those contained in the memorandum of conversation dated January 31, 1945,68 with the Guatemalan Ambassador in Washington and Messrs. Warren and Cochran.69
The Foreign Minister asked what reason I had to believe that a Salvadoran delegate would represent the President-elect, Castañeda Castro, and what position Mexico had taken. I assured him that the only specific information in my possession was that contained in the Department’s latest telegram. Dr. Muñoz Meany offered to consult with Mr. Jorge Toriello,70 and advise me as to the Executive decision.
As no word came from him yesterday, I called on the Foreign Minister at ten this morning and said that I had been greatly pleased to read in last evening’s Nuestro Diario the names of the delegates to the conference at Mexico City. Dr. Muñoz Meany said that those had been handed to the newspaper prior to my visit reported above. He then showed me the original of the note dated February 10 addressed to this Embassy, stating that Guatemala would not attend the meeting at Mexico City. He added that this had not been sent to me yesterday for the reason that he had hoped information might be received which would make it unnecessary. I asked what type of information and he said: “Well, if we had assurances from Mexico that the representative from Salvador would sit in at the conference as an observer (without voice or vote) representing the Castañeda Castro régime (to be), from conference opening to March 1st, that would considerably help matters.
[Page 32]The Foreign Minister said that the basic fear existed in Guatemala that any recognition of the Osmin Aguirre régime would result in his refusing to turn over to his successor.
He added that Mr. Guillermo Toriello, Guatemalan Ambassador to Mexico, had just flown back from that country and he might have some news. If so, the Minister would confer with me again in the very near future. He requested that in the meantime, I refrain from communicating with Washington until he could again seek to reason with the Executive.
Respectfully yours,