822.24/96: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Ecuador (Drew)
80. Your 88, May 16, 3 p.m. Within the next few days you will receive a circular instruction81 informing you, for your information, that the President has approved furnishing the other American countries military and naval matériel during the next few years to a total value of 400 million dollars. Pursuant to the President’s instructions each of the American Republics has been informed of the amount of military and naval equipment which will be furnished to it and each country has been requested immediately to designate military and naval aides to discuss with the War and Navy Department here what it desires to obtain within the allocation set aside for it.
The visit referred to in your telegram of reference is for this purpose. Although appreciative of your suggestion, the Department sees no reason for recommending delay in the departure of the mission since this program is not only one of general application to all of the American Republics but conversations are already taking place here between appropriate representatives of Peru and our military and naval authorities.
It is hoped that my statement yesterday82 will dispose of the thoroughly groundless allegation that the participation of this Government in the tender of friendly offices had any connection with the transfer of the two patrol boats to Ecuador, the acquisition of other military or naval supplies by Ecuador, or bases on the Galápagos Islands.
- See telegram of May 20, 10 p.m., to the Ambassador in Argentina, vol. vi, p. 137.↩
- Department of State Bulletin, May 17, 1941, p. 596.↩