811.248/395a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery)
515. With regard to the additional facilities desired by the Ferry Command in northeastern Brazil, I have today received a further communication from the War Department which reads as follows: [Page 654]
“Referring to the additional facilities required in northeast Brazil for the ferrying of aircraft through this area, I am advised that the American Section of The Joint Board for northeast Brazil41 has presented to General Ary Pires, President of the Board, a specific proposal for the provision of housing and storage facilities and the improvement of access roads at Amapá, Belém, Sáo Luíz, Fortaleza, Natal, Recife, Maceió, and Bahia at an estimated cost of $2,700,000. I understand that General Pires concurs in this program and that it has received the informal consideration of the War Ministry. I also am advised that the Joint Board has discussed the assignment of an officer of the Corps of Engineers to northeast Brazil to supervise this program in collaboration with an engineer officer of the Brazilian Army assigned for this purpose.
- 2.
- In view thereof, it is requested that the consent of the Brazilian Government be obtained to the airport construction program in the amount of $2,700,000 as recommended to the Joint Board by the American Section and to the assignment of an officer of the Corps of Engineers to northeast Brazil to supervise and coordinate the construction activities now being undertaken through Pan American Airways.
- 3.
- The War Department is prepared to make the construction equipment being utilized in this program available to the Brazilian Government for use in the construction of defense works in Northeast Brazil as the extended construction program is completed.”
Please take up this suggestion as a part of the whole arrangement proposed for northeastern Brazil.
You will realize, I know, how urgent the matter is and how vital the War Department considers the expansion of its facilities for ferrying. I can only reiterate that every day counts.
I have seen the text of a telegram sent by President Vargas to Souza Costa which the latter showed me regarding the arrangements for the immediate furnishing of naval and military material and for the commitments undertaken by this Government under the Lend Lease agreement for the furnishing of military supplies for the balance of the current year. The message made it emphatically clear that the President was wholly satisfied. Souza Costa informed me that this message was sent after President Vargas had consulted with General Dutra.42 In view of this, it would seem to me necessary to try and use the present opportunity for the completion of these Ferry Command arrangements which after all are more in the immediate interest of Brazil than they are in the interest even of the United States. Please do your utmost to get me some immediate and favorable reply.