811.20 Defense (M) Argentina/197: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Armour)

1397. 1. In view of protracted delay in effecting arrangements for the procurement of beryl, it was suggested at a meeting of representatives of interested agencies that you call together Messrs. Hughes, Jahns, Singewald, and Bates34 for the purpose of reviewing the question of beryl procurement in Argentina and making such recommendations as, in your opinion, will best facilitate immediate procurement and dispose of existing vexatious questions.

2. In substitution of the proposal made in the Department’s no. 656 of May 12, 1 p.m., it has been suggested that Metals Reserve might make a blanket offer to buy the entire Argentine production of beryllium products whether in the form of ore or of oxide leaving it entirely to the Argentine Government to control the amount of the productions of each material. Such proposal would contemplate no stipulation regarding maximum or minimum quantities but would of course call for removal of existing embargo on ore.

3. With respect to the question of our extending assistance in plant expansion to stimulate production of oxide, we believe it would be most difficult to provide necessary equipment during the course of the war. There is also the question whether supplies of beryl or oxide may be going forward to the Axis from Argentina through submarine shipment or other means. Do you believe such to be the case? We naturally should not wish plant expansion promoted by us to result in augmenting any such shipments.

4. Is it your opinion that delay hitherto affecting arrangements springs from obstructive purposes designed to induce us to believe that we can eventually obtain Argentine beryl without there being any bona fide intention to supply it?

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5. Your full comment will be appreciated on the foregoing items together with such other suggestions and comment as you may have to offer. If the foregoing proposal is not satisfactory can you make a concrete proposal?

6. In connection with the foregoing care should be exercised that nothing should be said or done to prejudice anticipated favorable replies to the representations already made as set forth in the Department’s no. 1314 of September 3, 5 p.m. and no. 1366 of September 12, 10 p.m.35 Satisfactory replies to such representations would of course be preferred to the adoption of other measures.

Hull
  1. Thomas L. Hughes, Commercial Attaché in Argentina; William F. Jahns, Joseph T. Singewald, Jr., and Bennett R. Bates, members of a mission sent to Argentina by the Board of Economic Warfare.
  2. Neither printed.