Messersmith, G.S., Mexico City. Memorandum.
Date
1942-05-26
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Enclosed with No. 1506. Received instructions from Department by telephone on May 21 to contact Foreign Ministry to get permission for U.S. Army to send thirty men, not in uniforms and unarmed, who would act with Mexican Army contingent to survey both sides of Gulf of Lower California to determine if there were secret landing fields there as had been reported; it was further reported Japanese plane carrier sighted 400 or 500 miles off California coast; urgency of request emphasized; Foreign Minister was in conference with President, but talked with Undersecretary, [Jaime] Torres Bodet, who promised to get in touch with appropriate officials immediately; late that night was able to telephone Department that request had been granted; hesitated to make request; any visit from Embassy to Foreign Office is noted and interpreted by press as U.S. attempt to urge Mexico to declare war; such a request could also be interpreted as lack of confidence in Mexicans, who had already said such air strips did not exist; although Torres Bodet received request courteously and Mexican Government acceded to request without delay, obvious they were not happy about it; is convinced U.S. action in this respect ill-advised and unnecessary; on Sunday received further call from Department about three radar stations to be set up in Lower California, each to be operated by U.S. forces; orders to that effect had gone to Mexican military officials in north of Mexico, but had not been acted on; was asked to acquaint Foreign Minister with situation and ask that appropriate instructions be sent the Commander of Mexican forces; conveyed message in an hour and was informed that evening that instructions had gone out and proper officials on border had been informed; apparently General [Lázaro] Cárdenas has not been carrying through all instructions given him by authorities in Mexico City; telegram from Secretary [Cordell] Hull states he has had letter from Secretary of War [Henry L.] Stimson complaining that Cárdenas not cooperating, and asking State Department to intervene; was instructed by Hull to use discretion in discussing matter with President of Mexico; thinks it inadvisable to bring up matter at present with President or any high Government official, or until after Mexico declares war; President [Manuel] Avila Camacho and ex-President Cárdenas have remained friends, though holding opposing political views, and Avila Camacho considering him for post of Minister of National Defense, thinking, that bringing him into Cabinet will line him up with President's policy of full cooperation; believes President of Mexico a better judge of what is feasible and desirable in Mexico than U.S. Army officials; will keep situation in mind, but for present will not mention it to President or Foreign Minister.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.