Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, The American Republics, Volume V

810.74/454: Telegram

The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State

Santiago, September 9, 1942—noon.
[Received 8:53 p.m.]

1449. For Secretary and Under Secretary. Your telegram 1017, September 8, 7 p.m.⁶⁹ As stated in my telegram 1421, September 3, 7 p.m., I saw President Ríos and submitted proof which to my astonishment had not been called to his attention. I again saw Barros Jarpa yesterday (Tuesday) on his return to city and after reiterating all that had been said before and giving him additional proof of the damage being done through the Axis communications, I left with him a stiff note saying, among other things, that these constitute as much a contribution against the defence of the continent as though Chile sent war material. I then wrote personally to President Ríos using as pretext an acknowledgment of an inscribed photograph reminding him of our conversation of a few days ago and enclosing a copy of the note to Barros Jarpa as of possible interest.

Barros Jarpa always seems impressed and distressed when proof of these Axis activities are submitted and this time he said he would go into the matter with the President. He said just one significant thing, that “until we break relations it looks like we must forbid the Axis Missions the use of their code in communicating with their Governments”. Thus in circular fashion he gets back to the proposition he had made me many weeks ago. I suspect that in conformity with his strategy of yielding only inch by inch this will be his proposal. I told him that Washington is gravely concerned and asked him to let me know immediately when a decision has been reached and he promised to send for me very soon. I shall follow this up closely.

At reception at Brazilian Embassy I talked with Alvarez⁷⁰ and asked him if Barros Jarpa had actually told him he had proposed cutting off use of codes to Axis Embassies and that I had not favored it and he said it is true. I expressed astonishment and told him the opposite was true. He did not appear surprised (see my telegram 1442, September 7, 2 p.m., point 2.⁷¹)

Bowers

69. Not printed.
70. Pedro Alvarez Suárez, Chilean Minister of Commerce and Supplies.
71. Not printed; point 2 gives the same information contained in this paragraph concerning Barros Jarpa’s reported action (740.0011 European War 1939/24079).