800.85/561: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Colombia ( Braden )
Washington
, February
10, 1942—7 p.m.
159. Your 166, February 9, 6 p.m. Please determine if possible to whom and under what terms the tankers are to be turned over. In your opinion would a statement by the Maritime Commission in the nature of the following suffice for the purposes indicated in your telegram: Sympathetic consideration will be given to the needs of Colombia for shipping, within the limits imposed by the exigencies of war.
The Maritime Commission will not interpret this statement to mean that Colombia will receive preferential treatment.
Hull