710.J/4–1048: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State

confidential

Martel 39. Daily Summary No. 9. Chiefs delegations met this afternoon at residence of Honduran delegate1 who is Acting President conference and unanimously adopted following urgent measures:

1.
Conference should continue.
2.
Appointed commission consisting senior military officers of delegations of United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay to establish contact with Colombian military authorities to arrange for immediate evacuation to their respective residences of approximately 100 members delegations including chiefs Paraguayan delegation all of whom took refuge military barracks. I have since been informed they have all been returned to their lodgings.
3.
Appointed commission consisting military representatives US, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela under chairmanship chief Peruvian delegate to formulate plans to evacuate by airplane women and other non-essential persons attached to delegation who may wish to leave and other members delegation in that order. However, I stressed that first step should be to arrange for security for arrival and departure of airplanes.
4.
Appointment committee consisting of resident chiefs of mission of US, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, and Venezuela to arrange with Colombian Government for security of delegation residences, transportation, food, and other services and for committee to establish central point of control for delegations. Argentina, Panama, Peru expressed opinions impossible conduct conference here but agreed defer decision until Tuesday2 unless of course, situation worsens.

Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Cuba offered respective capitals as seats for conference in case necessary leave Bogotá.

I stated it was not only important but imperative that conference continue and that revolutionary movements here were not confined to Colombia but had world-wide implications. I also stated we must keep conference on high plane maintain our integrity and that I would therefore not discuss suggestions of Argentine delegation to bring in US troops to secure Bogotá Airport. That besides being a grave decision for my Government, it would require the unanimous approval of the delegates which it does not have.

The delegates agreed meet daily with next session tomorrow (Sunday) at 2 p. m.

Remodeled capital building which conference meeting held completely gutted. Conference records and equipment destroyed. Department capitol and municipal buildings also destroyed and tremendous destruction business center. Practically all downtown stores looted. Center of city shambles and fires still burning.

President Ospina Perez has announced today formation of coalition Cabinet including Liberals and Conservatives. Reports reaching me indicate situation easier.

Entire delegation and Embassy staff are safe.

Marshall
  1. Marco Antonio Batres, Chairman of the Honduran Delegation and First Vice President of the Conference.
  2. April 13.