Messersmith, G.S.
Date
2011-06-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
From October 1928 to August 1930 was Consul General for the Argentine; in addition to regular duties, was assigned further duties as inspector of U.S. consular and diplomatic establishments in South America; was also to make special inquiry into manner in which American firms in countries of South America carried on their activities; persistent rumors that some firms were interfering in local politics; visited Paraguay, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay; had full cooperation of Minister to Paraguay, Post Wheeler; had been instructed to discuss with President of Paraguay possibility of U.S. aiding Paraguay in putting in water and sewage system in Asuncion with U.S. assuming half the cost; President said it was impossible as his country could not even afford half the cost; Paraguay the poorest and most backward of Latin American countries in those days; enjoyed train ride across Andes to Chile; in Santiago was graciously received by Ambassador William Culbertson; in Valparaiso met for first time Miss Frances Willis, at that time the only woman Foreign Service officer of career; had definite views regarding women in Foreign Service, not because of prejudice, but because in some things a Foreign Service officer had to do, a woman would find herself at a disadvantage; Miss Willis, however, had passed such a brilliant examination she could not be turned down; she was in charge of the shipping section of the Consulate, a difficult assignment, but on inspection found that she managed her office well; met her later at a number of other posts and she continued to do first class job; was happy to learn a few years ago she had been named Ambassador to Switzerland; met some opposition in Brazil from Ambassador Edwin Morgan who flatly refused to cooperate and said his Embassy didn't need inspection; told him instructions came from Department, and unless he cooperated, would cable Department of his refusal; he then had to give in but grudgingly; he was a man of some capacity, but a thorough reactionary and had been in this post far too long; inspection trip to Uruguay was without incident; was received cordially there by the Chief of Mission Leland Harrison; in all inspection tours found no evidence American firms were interfering in local politics - was on point of leaving for Bolivia when instructions came to report to Berlin as Consul General.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.