File No. 763.72119/990 The Minister in Panama (Price) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PANAMA, December 7, 1917, 5 p. m. Costa Rican Minister for Foreign Affairs cables Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs, Costa Rica abstains from appointing delegates owing to special conditions in the country and regrets that circumstances beyond his control prevent taking part in so important assembly. File No. 763.72119/995 PRICE The Minister in Ecuador (Hartman) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] QUITO, December 7, 1917, 11 a. m. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has furnished this Legation copy of telegram sent by him to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Argentina dated December 5, answering an invitation to Ecuador to attend Latin-American congress at Buenos Aires next January to consider war. Telegram states that Ecuador accepts in principle the assembly of an American congress that has for its purpose solidarity of whole continent, and will be present if all American countries previously reach a common agreement. The Minister for Foreign Affairs informed me yesterday, orally, that Ecuador would attend Latin-American congress provided plan was approved by the United States. HARTMAN Severance of Relations with Germany by Ecuador, December 7-Declaration of War on Austria-Hungary by Panama, December 10; by Cuba, December 16-Further Correspondence Regarding the Disposition of German Ships Seized by Brazil, Cuba, and Uruguay-Further Correspondence Regarding the Proposed Congress of American States-Convention for the Purchase of Argentine Wheat by Great Britain and France, Signed January 14, 1918 File No. 763.72/8019 The Minister in Ecuador (Hartman) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] QUITO, December 8, 1917, 8 a. m. In note received last night [Minister of] Foreign Affairs advises me that Ecuador has broken off diplomatic relations with Germany, canceled exequaturs of German consuls in Ecuador, recalled Ecuadoran Consul from Berlin, and ordered Dr. Wilhelm Mueller to leave the national territory, handing to him police passports at the same time. File No. 763.72119/1005 HARTMAN The Ambassador in Argentina (Stimson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] BUENOS AIRES, December 10, 1917, 4 p. m. My December 6, 10 [11] p. m. With reference to proposed PanAmerican congress I understand that the Peruvian Minister has three times told the President that the Governments of Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Ecuador would not be represented at such a congress unless it were called for the avowed purpose of breaking relations with Germany. File No. 862.85/236a STIMSON The Secretary of State to the Minister in Uruguay (Jeffery) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, December 11, 1917, 7 p. m. In order to expedite negotiations and that the ex-German ships in Uruguay may be placed in service for mutual benefit of Uruguay and United States as soon as possible it has been decided to carry on negotiations both with Uruguayan Legation here and at the same time through you and Uruguayan Government in Montevideo. You are instructed to place before the Uruguayan Government the proposals quoted in Department's telegram of December 1, 6 p. m.1 You will obtain permission, if possible, from the Uruguayan Government, for Mr. Charles Crocker, now in Montevideo, to superintend the survey of these vessels, and ask Mr. Crocker to undertake this work and make a report. The Department is informed that bids on these vessels are still being invited and received by the Uruguayan Consul General in New York. The Uruguayan Minister informed the Department on December 8 that the Government of Uruguay is obliged to offer these ships for charter in the open market on account of recent legislation. You are instructed to obtain from the Government of Uruguay confirmation of the statement made by the Uruguayan Minister at Washington. In requesting this information you may state that the 1Ante, p. 378. Government of the United States desires to be perfectly clear on this point and to avoid all misunderstanding. If the law makes acquisition by United States Government technically impossible, you are to inform Uruguayan Government that the United States Emergency Fleet Corporation can charter these ships, as it is a private and not a government organization. In bringing this matter to the attention of the Uruguayan Government you are instructed to say that in view of the earnest consideration which this Government is giving to means for supplying oil for use in Uruguay, the Uruguayan Government should consider all matters in connection with the negotiations for the ships in the broadest possible light. In view of the understanding with the British Embassy in Washington that the British Government will cooperate with the United States in the matter re German ships, you are instructed to acquaint your British colleague of the above instruction and request his support in representations made by you. File No. 763.72/8070 LANSING The Minister in Panama (Price) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PANAMA, December 10, 1917, 4 p. m. [Received December 11, 10.40 a. m.] 1 Department's circular of the 7th 1 complied with and communicated promptly to the Panaman Government with the suggestion informally made that they declare war also. National Assembly this afternoon unanimously passed resolution declaring war on Austria-Hungary. PRICE File No. 763.72/8070 The Secretary of State to the Minister in Panama (Price) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, December 13, 1917, 4 p. m. Your December 10, 4 p. m. Please inform Department why you suggested, without instructions, that Panama declare war on Austria. Was resolution of National Assembly worded in same manner as President's decree in regard to severance of relations with Germany and cooperation with United States against that country? LANSING 1" Congress to-day passed, and President signed, joint resolution declaring war on Austria-Hungary. Inform consuls." (File No. 763.72/8023a.) 114203-31—25 File No. 835.6131/18 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Stimson) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, December 13, 1917, 5 p. m. Your November 29, 1 a. m.1 Secretary, Treasury requests that following cable sent him from Paris by Crosby be transmitted to you: You have doubtless seen the recent instructions received by French and British diplomatic representatives from their respective goveruments authorizing them to withdraw suggestions for commandeering cereals and forbidding their export to other countries or any other measures for compulsory sale. You may if you deem wise say to Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs that you are in entire accord with his view that such measures are impractical and inadmissible. You will of course do all in your power to assist British and French diplomatic representatives to secure desired arrangement with Argentine Government for a sufficient loan to enable French and British Governments to finance the purchase price of all the cereals they are able to acquire, both Governments taking their chances as to the amount of cereals they may be able to purchase in open market. If the question of supply of coal for Argentine needs arises this season you can avoid any definite agreement by assuring Argentina of good offices of United States for a sufficient allocation of tonnage and coal to meet Argentine coal needs. You may act in manner outlined in this cable. File No. 862.85/233 LANSING The Secretary of State to the Minister in Cuba (Gonzales) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, December 14, 1917, 5 p. m. United States Shipping Board desires to have following proposals regarding German ships seized by Cuban authorities laid before Cuban Government: 1. That the Cuban Government proceed immediately to register the vessels under the Cuban flag. 2. That the vessels be chartered to the United States Shipping Board for the period of the war on bare-boat form of charter party; or by informal agreement to the effect that the United States shall employ and operate the vessels. 3. That the cost of repairs shall be borne by the United States Shipping Board. 4. That if the Cuban Government desires to give to the United States the use of the vessels free of charter hire, the cost of repairs. shall be borne absolutely by the United States. 5. If, however, the Cuban Government prefers to charter the vessels to the United States Shipping Board at an agreed rate, the 1Not printed; see telegram of Nov. 14, 7 p. m., to the Ambassador, ante, p. 366. Shipping Board offers to pay for the use of the vessels, bare boat, the same price that the board is paying in similar cases to citizens of the United States-viz. $4.15 per dead-weight ton, with a bonus of 50 cents per dead-weight ton for every knot or part of knot above 11 knots per hour. In this case, the initial cost of repairs shall be carried by the Shipping Board, but it will be deducted from the charter hire as it shall become payable. Bring these proposals to the attention of the Cuban Department of State and say the Shipping Board hopes Cuban Government may be able to reach a conclusion respecting them at an early date, for a prompt acceptance of the proposals will constitute a great service to the United States and to the nations associated with us in the war. File No. 763.72119/1014 LANSING The Minister in Panama (Price) to the Secretary of State PANAMA, November 27, 1917. SIR: I have the honor to enclose the Spanish text and translation of the cablegram which the Government of Panama has sent to Argentina in response to the latter's cable invitation, under date of October 28, proposing the holding of a congress of Latin-American nations in Argentina the first fortnight in January for the purpose of making a joint declaration in reference to their attitude in the pending war.1 I refer to my cablegram of October 29, 5 p. m.,2 and to my despatch No. 1642 of October 29,1 reporting this move on the part of the Argentine. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Panama, in the response mentioned, after expressing appreciation for the courtesy shown by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Argentina in addressing Panama in this matter, states that the Panaman Government "regrets that the motives which led it to decline the first invitation sent on May 9 have not changed." After the receipt of instructions from the Department asked for in reference to the reply of Panama to be made to the invitation of Argentina of May 9 last, and to my communication of same, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Panama, under date of May 22, 1917, responded to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Argentina that the line of conduct observed by my Government respecting the war has been clear and unequivocal. Relations were broken with Germany and common cause made with the United States offering 1 Not printed. 2 Ante, p. 354. |