Messersmith, G.S., Mexico City. To Henry A. Wallace, Washington., 1942 November 27

Acknowledges Wallace's letter of Nov. 16 with its enclosure of letter from Ray Newton of the Friends Service Committee of Philadelphia; familiar with good work in the past of Friends Committee in Germany and Austria; has known Clarence Pickett well for years, and knows Newton, but slightly; both Newton and Pickett in Mexico several months ago; had long talk with Pickett on work Friends Service Committee is doing in Mexico; Newton discussed with Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, [Jaime] Torres Bodet, new projects in Mexico the Committee wished to undertake using as workers conscientious objectors from U.S.; Torres Bodet reported later that he had told Newton that while his Government was appreciative of the work Friends Committee was doing in Mexico, he thought it would be undesirable in interests of U.S. and Mexico for conscientious objectors to be brought to Mexico during war to work on such projects; when Embassy was approached again by Pickett and urged to intercede in the matter, told him in view of Mexican Government's attitude the U.S. Ambassador could do nothing about it and that the Ambassador agreed with Mexican Government that project was undesirable; explored matter further with [Ezequiel] Padilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and he said that Torres Bodet had clearly expressed the attitude of Mexican Government; thinks it would be helpful if Wallace advises Newton not to pursue matter further; noted that Wallace's daughter Jean may come to Mexico next summer on this kind of work; it is an entirely different matter and Jean will be most welcome; hopes she will visit at the Embassy while she is in Mexico; although in accord with Mexican Government in matter of conscientious objectors, has had enough experience with Quakers during early years in Pennsylvania to know what worthy people they are; a conscientious objector is not necessarily an object of scorn; appreciates Wallace's commendation for work in Mexico; task not easy, but in general progressing satisfactorily; hopes to make trip home toward end of year and looks forward to seeing Wallace; is concerned over tendency of some agencies of U.S. Government to build up separate organizations in Mexico and to carry through plans which cannot be productive of good results; Morris Rosenthal [of Board of Economic Warfare] coming soon to talk over procurement and development program; does not know Rosenthal, but hears he is an understanding person.