824.504/71: Telegram
The Ambassador in Bolivia (Boal) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7 p.m.]
65. Department’s 46, January 11, 9 p.m.55 Following note from the Foreign Minister dated January 6, 1943, has been received this afternoon at the Embassy:
“As Your Excellency is not unaware, various factors have combined during the year 1942 to bring about a considerable increase in the cost of production of minerals. It is possible to cite the scarcity and the increases in prices at the source of many of the materials used in mining production, the scarcity of labor which has in its turn resulted in readjustments in wages, increase in the cost of living.
These circumstances justify the possibility of a revision in the present prices paid for our minerals, a possibility admitted by the Metals Reserve in the course of previous negotiations.
In order that this new situation may be verified by the experts of the Embassy in your worthy charge, I would appreciate it if Your Excellency would instruct them to collaborate with the Divisions of [Page 554] Mines and Commerce of the Ministry of National Economy to determine the extent to which these increases have resulted in increases in the cost of production, presenting as a result their respective reports.
In the assurance that Your Excellency will be kind enough to cooperate with my Government in this matter, I am honored to reiterate to you the sentiments of my highest and most distinguished consideration.
(signed) Tomás Manuel Elio.”
I will appreciate telegraphic instructions as to the reply if it [is] desired that the Embassy should make [one].