800.6363/565: Telegram

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

463. We are advised that first grade motor gasoline stocks in Chile will be exhausted April 1 and total motor gasoline stock April 15. Latin American supply committee New York has postponed earliest tanker loading Talara until April 1 to arrive Chile April 10 thus leaving no margin of safety. Unless loading date advanced the Chilean Government pool committee will recommend to Government that it introduce rationing effective March 26 and stop all movement of private automobiles in an effort to bridge over supplies. The Government presently engaged in establishing definite rationing scheme which it is judged cannot become effective until May 1. Please inform whether there is any possible way to get a tanker for earlier loading than April 1 and in the event this is impossible shall I reenforce the recommendation of the Chilean pool committee to the Government.

Reference my 456, March 21, 2 p.m.35

Bowers
  1. Not printed.