710 Conference War and Post War/2–2145: Telegram
The American Delegation to the Inter-American Conference on Problems of War and Peace to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received February 22—5:50 a.m.]
224. From Secretary Stettinius.76 The Inter-American Conference on Problems of War and Peace was formally inaugurated today by President Avila Camacho. In his address the President emphasized the role of democracy in the postwar world and pointed out that democracy depended on sound economic and social conditions. Only his comments that more than the opinion of the powerful must be taken into account in establishing world order and that only Argentina and El Salvador “which have a cordial place in our affection” were absent evoked any particular applause. The Venezuelan Foreign Minister’s77 reply contained nothing of special note.
In a preliminary session of chiefs of delegation in the morning, to which the press was admitted, Padilla78 was chosen President of the Conference; Velloso (Brazil),79 Chairman of the First Committee (prosecution of the war); Stettinius, Second Committee (world organization); Lleras (Colombia),80 Third Committee (inter-American organization); Cuervo Rubio (Cuba),81 Fourth Committee (postwar economic and social); Gallagher (Peru),82 Fifth Committee (transitional economic); and Parra Perez (Uruguay [Venezuela]), Sixth Committee (coordination).
The Paraguayan delegate83 sought to have the Argentine question discussed at this meeting even before the question of conference organization was settled. Following comments by delegates of Guatemala, Brazil, and Costa Rica, as well as Ambassador Castillo Najera,84 the question was referred by majority vote to the steering committee.
Following this conference I had a very cordial talk with President Avila Camacho.
[Page 122]The Colombian delegate has unofficially handed us a copy of the Colombian proposals regarding joint guaranty of territorial integrity.
We are relying upon you to inform the President of the above. [Stettinius.]
- Secretary Stettinius headed the American delegation, and in his absence the Under Secretary, Joseph C. Grew, was Acting Secretary. Telegrams from the American delegation were transmitted by the Embassy in Mexico, but the Ambassador’s signature is being omitted.↩
- Caracciolo Parra Pérez.↩
- Ezequiel Padilla, Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩
- Pedro Leao Velloso, Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩
- Alberto Lleras Camargo, Colombian Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩
- Gustavo Cuervo Rubio, Cuban Minister of State.↩
- Manuel C. Gallagher, Peruvian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship.↩
- Celso R. Velásquez, Paraguayan Ambassador to the United States.↩
- Mexican Ambassador to the United States.↩