Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-13
We||es Says U. 5.
Hasn't Asked Leases
On Latin Bases
Mexico's President. Elect
Recognized; Wallace
To Go to Inaugural

BY the Associated Press.
Acting Secretary of State Welles
said today the United States had
not suggested the lease or cession
of any naval or air base sites from
any Latin American countries.
Mr.. Welles made the statement at
his press conference to counter re-
ports that the United States was
seeking to lease sites as part Of the
hemisphere defense program.
He emphasized that in the current
negotiations the Government had
not sought in any measure to in
fringe the sovereignty of any other
country.
He would not elaborate, however
when asked whether this Govern
ment might arrange for mutual use
of base facilities of other countries
Leaders Asked to Ceremony.
Mr.. Welles also disclosed that sew
eral members of Congress had been
invited by Mexico to attend the
Inauguration of MeXico's President
elect.
Formal recognition by the United
States of Gen. Manuel Avila
Camacho as the Mexican Presi-
dent-elect had an unusual as
pect, for it was accompanied last
night by the announcement that
Henry A. Wallace, Vice President
elect of the United States, would
represent this country at the
Camacho Inauguration in Mexico
City, December l.
Mexicos presidential election had
been in dispute, and the announce
ment of Camacho's recognition was
the first Government expression here
on the controversy. In Mexico, the
action of the United States was re-
ceived as welcome news, with special
qualification manifested at the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Wallace.
Cabinet Members Confer.
Mexico, however, apparently was
only one of the Latin American
nations to figure in State Depart
ment consultations yesterday. Secre-
tary Huh. Secretary of War Stlmson
and Secretary of Navy Knox con-
ferred for almost an hour and it
was believed in Well-informed quar-
tiers that hemisphere defense pro-
vided the major topic.
The progress of defense negotla-
tons with other American republics
was reviewed, these sources believed,
and consideration given to the
necessary subsequent steps for ad-
vancing the program with all pos
sible speed.
Defense consultations have been
proceeding quietly with the other
republics since last summer and are
believed to concern defense facilities
available in each nation for air,
army and naval forces.
The progress of conversations with
Mexico on this subject was indicated
by the recent prediction of re-
sponsible Mexican sources that in
all probability mutual defense
agreement would be negotiated With
the United States about January l
along the lines of the present United
States Canadian understanding.
Roosevelt Invites Vargas.
Besides strictly defense matters,
indications of diplomatic and eco
nomic collaboration also appeared in
yesterdays developments.
The State Department disclosed
that Mr.. Roosevelt had invited
President Vargas of Brazil to visit
this country and that Mr.. Vargas
had accepted tentatively.
Another sign was the arrival Of
Raul Prebisch, president of the
Central Bank of Argentine, to open
conversations with banking author
tiles here on the question OF a So
luton of Argentina's exchange
problem.
Vice President-elect Wallace will
attend the Camacho Inauguration as
special representative of President
Roosevelt with the rank of ambas-
sador extraordinary and plenipoten-
tiary.
The choice gave rise to some
speculation whether Mr.. Wallace
might be destined for the role of
this countlyS travelling good
neighbor" emissary in dealings with
Latin American nations. He has
been interested in their problems
and during the recent campaign
demonstrated his ability with Span
ish by addressing political rallies in
the Southwest in both English and
in the Spanish tongue, which many
people in that area use.