Messersmith, G.S.
Date
2011-06-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
On April 1, 1946, received telephone call from Secretary of State James F. Byrnes saying he and President wanted Messersmith to go to Argentina as Ambassador; had no wish to leave Mexico and had expected Mexican post to be last before retirement; Byrnes insistent and wanted immediate answer as they wished to make announcement that afternoon of the appointment; Messersmith said he would have to talk with Byrnes and President to make sure they were in agreement about policy to be followed in Argentina; Byrnes replied there could be no doubt about their agreement, and asked Messersmith to come to Washington for conference with Byrnes and President and found them cordial; was in complete accord with what they agreed should be U.S. policy in Argentina; task there would be difficult; Argentina had behaved badly during war and there was ill feeling in both U.S. and Argentina, but it was important that relations be improved and Argentina brought back into concert with the American nations before Rio Defense Conference could be scheduled; it was essential first that Argentina comply with inter-American commitments made at Chapultepec; task was made no easier by Spruille Braden, who was now Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs, and whose "get tough" policy in Argentina and interference in Argentina's internal matters were responsible for much of the troubles; saw Braden briefly before leaving Washington, but spoke only in generalities, as there was no point in arguing with him; returned briefly to Mexico City, but left shortly for Argentina; during first six months there made progress in bringing Argentina into line; obvious that Argentine Government was making every effort to fulfill its commitments, but there were many difficulties; American press distinctly antagonistic to Argentina; correspondents prejudiced and news deliberately distorted; Braden's speeches and interviews also a hindrance; even Byrnes and Truman, who had assured Messersmith of their support, seemed to be wavering; instead of acknowledging that Argentina had accomplished, they continuied to harp on "deeds not words;" situation so critical in December that Messersmith flew to Washington and was further reassured by Truman and Byrnes, but Byrnes had resigned and the new appointee, George C. Marshall, said he was "not ready to talk about Argentina"; in June 1947, for purely political reasons, Truman asked for Messersmith's resignation; he had accomplished what he had been sent to Argentina to do.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.