834.00/12–1247: Airgram

The Ambassador in Paraguay (Warren) to the Secretary of State

confidential

A–249. Reference Embassy’s despatch No. 2953 dated November 3, 1947, Embassy’s airgram No. 230, of December 1, 1947, and Embassy’s telegrams Nos. 630 and 628 both dated December 6, 1947.48

In the last two weeks the Embassy has noticed what may be a change of attitude on the part of President Morínigo and members of his official family toward the United States and its activities in Paraguay in contrast to what the Embassy considered to be an unfriendly atmosphere prevailing prior to, during, and immediately after the holding of the Colorado convention. This possible change is indicated by the following:

[Here follows an eight-point explanation of instances of greater personal friendliness of Paraguayans of high station toward the United States.]

Embassy realizes that perhaps it is possible to explain the foregoing in such a way that it would not indicate a change in the attitude of the Paraguayan Government. However, in view of the absence in Argentina of Natalicio González49 whom the Embassy does not consider to be pro-USA and his rumored failure to obtain an Argentine loan or Argentine support of his plans, it believes that these eight points do [Page 997] indicate a turning toward the United States of the President in an effort to balance somewhat Argentine pressure on this country. This view is strengthened when it is recalled that both Prieto50 and Vasconsellos51 were placed in the Cabinet as announced González men and that previously neither had shown any particular friendliness toward the United States.

Please send a copy of this message to the Department of the Army.

Warren
  1. None printed.
  2. Paraguayan Minister of Finance.
  3. Leandro Prieto, Paraguayan Minister of Economy.
  4. César Vasconsellos, Paraguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs.