Send In The Fleet!

FRI 31 MAY 1940
U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Norman Armour and U.S. Minister in Uruguay Edwin C. Wilson confer in Montevideo about the deteriorating situation in Uruguay, and jointly suggest (in telegram to Secretary of State Hull) that "if the situation in the Far East permits," sending a "large U.S. naval force, 40 or 50 vessels...to the east coast of South America." A naval visit of that nature, the diplomats believe "would strengthen the position of those who desire to combat Nazism, as well as restore the confidence of those who are now wavering" and that the stationing of a U.S. naval squadron "more or less permanently in these waters would be an added assurance that we are prepared to give effective and immediate assistance if required."

In reply to U.S. Minister in Uruguay Wilson's telegram of the previous day, Secretary of State Hull informs the envoy in Montevideo that President Roosevelt has ordered heavy cruiser Quincy (CA-39) to proceed immediately to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and thence directly to Montevideo for "friendly visits of courtesy" (see 12 June).

Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Laurence Duggan) of the State Department suggests to Undersecretary of State Welles that President Roosevelt's decision "to detach two or three cruisers to go down the east coast [of South America]" be made public "in order to put a little iron in the veins of our friends in those countries."