811.20 (D) E.D.B./1706: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:33 p.m.]
1441. Reference Embassy’s 1393, August 27. Reply to note of August 20 not having been received Commercial Attaché brought up copper question during a conversation with Under Secretary of Commerce September 3. Under Secretary stated reply had been drafted but apparently did not feel free to divulge its contents. Meanwhile he showed copy of telegram from Chilean Embassy, Washington, stating that Colonel Lord’s assurance had been discussed with Mr. Soulies of Board of Economic Warfare who said a man would be sent to Chile within a month to study the situation regarding copper and other Chilean products. Under Secretary asked that discussions concerning quality copper to be delivered in Chile be postponed until this man arrives. Please telegraph whether Embassy’s report is correct and Department’s views.
Anaconda representative reports telephone conversation with Vice President Wheeler, New York,85 who expressed willingness agree to deliveries up to 20,000 tons per annum. Consider this figure much too high particularly in view of report from Embassy at Buenos Aires no further copper needed from Chile this year. No information yet received from Rio de Janeiro.
- Burr Wheeler, vice president of the Anaconda Subsidiary of the Chile Exploration Company.↩