810.20 Defense/3–3147
The Secretary of the Navy ( Forrestal ) to the Acting Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I am in receipt of your two letters of March 19, 1947, on the subject of inter-American military cooperation. The letters and the interim report19 on the financial aspects of participation have received close study in the Department.
The financial position of the Latin American countries is appreciated and the possible adverse effect on the economy of certain countries if an extensive program were initiated is understood. However, the Navy plans do not contemplate an appreciable increase in the overall size of those navies. Except for the supply of some small patrol vessels to be used in coastal work, it is planned to substitute larger units for an approximately equal tonnage of old and obsolete types with a resultant modernization and standardization. The net result should through the economies effected in operation actually produce a year to year saving. In any case the rate of flow of equipment can be controlled to take into account the ability of any particular country to meet its financial obligations. Furthermore, it is believed that some participation in the program may prevent the acceptance of attractive offers reportedly now being made by European countries.
You will recall that extensive staff discussions were held not long ago between military representatives of the United States and various Latin American countries. As a result of these talks a firm opinion exists in Latin America that it is the intention of the United States Government to assist in the modernization of their armed forces and to provide a source of munitions within the Western Hemisphere. Failure on our part to take further steps toward this end may cause the United States to suffer not only a considerable loss of confidence in the eyes of the Latin Americans, but also a loss of the close military [Page 110] collaboration gained through the expenditure of large sums of money during the past war.
Again, failure to enact appropriate legislation will restrict our ability to fulfill the commitments of the United States implied in the Act of Chapultepec20 and the U.S.–Canadian Defense Agreement of 12 February 1947, which envision the consolidation of the Western Hemisphere and the standardization in United States methods of training and equipment. The common defense of the hemisphere will be retarded unless the United States takes the initiative in this matter.
In view of the above, I recommend the introduction into Congress of the proposed legislation, which, I assure you, will receive my full support. In the event decision is made not to introduce this legislation, it is requested that you so inform the President, who, I understand, discussed the question of aid to Mexico with President Alemán.21
Sincerely yours,
- Letters and report not printed; see letter of March 19 to Secretary Patterson, p. 105.↩
- For text, see Department of State, Treaties and Other International Acts Series No. 1543; 60 Stat (pt. 2) 1831.↩
- Miguel Alemán Valdés, President of Mexico. With resrard to his visit to the United States April 29–May 7, 1947, see Department of State Bulletin. May 25, 1947, p. 1043.↩