Editorial Note

During the year 1951, exports of manganese ore from the Union of South Africa to the United States fell far below the contracted amount for that year and far below the level of manganese exports to the United States for 1950: 428,059 long tons in 1950 as compared to 311,909 long tons in 1951. (Telegram 24 from Capetown, February 29, 1952; 445A.119/2–2952) On April 2, 1952, the Union’s Minister of Commerce, Eric H. Louw, informed Ambassador Gallman that the Union’s exportable surplus of manganese for 1952 to all countries was estimated at approximately 700,000 long tons. The Minister did not comment on how much of this total would go to the United States. (Telegram 52 from Capetown, April 3, 1952; 445A.119/4–352) For documentation on this subject, see files 445A.119 and 845A.2547 and Foreign Relations, 1951, volume V, pages 1427 ff.