821.796 Avianca/76: Telegram

The Ambassador in Colombia (Braden) to the Secretary of State

48. My telegram No. 47.51 The following summarizes views expressed to me by President Santos this afternoon:

(1)
He is adamant on 51% plan because the Government, for reasons of highest national policy, must control all Colombian aviation. Moreover, only through such an absolute control can his Government guarantee Panama Canal defenses since no corporation with a majority of private interests could give this guarantee to Colombia or the United States.
(2)
The Government directors in the reorganized company will receive as their first and over-all instruction that Panama Canal defenses is a paramount consideration. Neither the United States nor Colombia could be certain that their respective nationals owning minority stock would not sell it to others who would sacrifice defense for profits or who might even be agents for Hitler.
(3)
He (or for that matter any other President of Colombia) is as vitally concerned for Canal safety as commander in chief of Zone because
(a)
Moral obligations of solidarity and friendship for the United States.
(b)
It would be politically disastrous were anything to happen to Canal from Colombian source.
(c)
Damage to Canal would economically ruin west coast of and southern Colombia.
(4)
Government directors will approve equipment and personnel changes required for safety even though they not be commercial. He specifically approved installation of direction finders.
(5)
He believed experienced Germans long in Colombia were non-Nazi and should be retained, but the others, including several new pilots, could be dismissed as rapidly as possible. If at any time dismissal of any of old Germans appears desirable, I have only to speak to him and he will adjust the matter.
(6)
I told the President American personnel was already installed as chiefs of divisions and I hoped they would remain in key positions until the Colombians could be trained therefor. He raised no objections but, at another point in conversation, stated that Avianca must work with Pan American Airways.
(7)
He will gladly continue military guards at airports.
(8)
If ever there is anything further War or Navy Departments or this Embassy feel essential for canal defences, I should immediately request an interview with him and the matter will be accommodated.
(9)
He is thoroughly familiar with Arco operations, knows it to be entirely financed by Colombian capital, he admires Hoffman52 more than any other German, the latter and his partner are naturalized and married to Colombians and the President “personally guarantees” to me there will never be any threat to the Canal from this source.
(10)
If the United States ever went to war with Germany, I would never have the opportunity to request dismissal of Germans because, within 15 minutes after he heard of it, they would all be out. This dictum applies to France or any other nation.
(11)
He assured me “with all solemnity and as officially as he could make it” that everything would be done to protect the Canal by him and his Government.
(12)
I promised to assist him in speeding conclusion of deal with Pan American Airways.

Unquestionably we must continue closely to watch this whole situation and particularly Panair but I do expect American personnel, on whom I have impressed their responsibility, will perform patriotically and, until further defense requirements occur to us, it does not appear that we can get or expect any greater assurances than the foregoing from the President of the Republic.

Braden
  1. Dated February 21, 10 p.m., not printed.
  2. Capt. Hans Hoffman, former chief pilot of Scadta, who had resigned because of differences with Dr. von Bauer, president of Scadta. Subsequently, Hoffman became a naturalized Colombian citizen and, financed by his father-in-law, a native Colombian, formed Arco.