710.Consultation 3/425: Telegram
The American Representative (Welles) to the Secretary of
State
Rio de
Janeiro, January 22, 1942—9
a.m.
[Received 10:02 a.m.]
39. In a 4-hour meeting between the Argentine, Peruvian and Chilean
Foreign Ministers and Aranha and myself I am glad to say
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that a satisfactory agreement was reached
upon the text of a joint inter-American declaration for the severance of
relations with the Axis Powers.
The text is as follows:
- “(1) The American Republics reaffirm their declaration to
consider every act of aggression on the part of a
non-continental power against one of them as an act of
aggression against all of them since such act constitutes an
immediate danger to the liberty and independence of
America.
- (2) The American Republics reaffirm their complete
solidarity and their determination to cooperate as one for
their mutual protection until the effects of the present
aggression upon the Continent shall have disappeared.
- (3) The American Republics consequently declare that in
the exercise of their sovereignty and in conformity with
their constitutional institutions and powers, provided the
latter are in agreement, they cannot continue their
diplomatic relations with Japan, Germany and Italy since
Japan has attacked and the others have declared war upon a
nation of the Continent.
- (4) Finally, the American Republics declared that before
reestablishing the relations mentioned in the preceding
paragraph they will consult among themselves in order that
their determination may have a collective and solidary
character.[”]
The Argentine Government has officially accepted this text: the Chilean
Minister has accepted likewise but with the proviso that he must obtain
official approval from his Government.