Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Africa and South Asia, Volume XI, Part 1

445A.119/6–2152: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Union of South Africa (Gallman) to the Department of State

secret

Pretoria, June 21, 1952—noon.

225. Have just recd from Forsyth, Secretary External Affairs,¹ secret note on manganese and chrome in reply aide-mémoire left with Prime Minister June 5² (Emb 108 June 5, Dept’s 254, June 10 and Emb’s 114, June 11)³…:

. . . . . . .

In aide-mémoire June 5 no offer was made provide railroad equipment. I merely inquired what Union Govt might need in way railway equipment and supplies to move minimum amount manganese and chrome we look to South Africa for.

In final paragraph my aide-mémoire June 5 I stated in substance that in making our minimum needs known I wanted at same time to point out that US Govt does not have unlimited means at its disposal assist South Africa but was willing consider reasonable requests.

There are two favorable aspects, as I see it, Union Govt reply. Prospect it held out for first time that we get definite tonnage commitment from Union Govt and prospect that our minimum requirements will be met for 1952 and 1953. Any acknowledgement we make of understanding that annual export 500,000 tons can not go beyond 1953 shld of course be worded such way that door wld be left open for later review situation. This might be done by expressing hope that outlook for peace by 1954 will be brighter than today.

It is customary Prime Minister and members Cabinet take several weeks vacation after close Parliamentary session and before returning Pretoria. Consequently, personal interviews out of question. Dept’s reply,⁴ particularly to issues appearing paragraphs 6 and 8 above, will therefore have to be passed on by me to External Affairs but in doing so I wld request that Prime Minister and responsible Ministers be promptly informed wherever they may be.⁵

Text note from External Affairs being forwarded by air.⁶

Gallman

1. Douglas D. Forsyth, Secretary for External Affairs, Union of South Africa.
2. Not printed. The United States aide-mémoire of June 5, 1952 informed the Union Government that, in order to carry out its defense program, the U.S. Government would require an “absolute minimum” of 500,000 long tons of manganese and 300,000 long tons of chrome from the Union of South Africa during 1952. The U.S. Government asked the Union Government what South Africa would need in the way of supplies and equipment to undertake to transport these required amounts. The aide-mémoire emphasized that the request “is one for special assistance in carrying out our common defense effort” and that the supplies were “urgently needed.” (Despatch 158 from Capetown, June 5, 1952; 411.45A9/6–552)
3. None printed. (411.45A9)
4. The Department’s reply noted that the general belief within the Department of State was that the Union Government’s reply was favorable and that Ambassador Gallman should convey to the Ministry of External Affairs U.S. appreciation for the reply. The Department agreed with Gallman that any acknowledgement of the 500,000 ton level for manganese should be worded in such a way “that door left open for later review situation.” Gallman was also instructed to convey to the Union Government U.S. assurances that efforts to develop alternate supplies would continue, but to couple this with the hope that South Africa would continue to accord the U.S. liberal treatment in access to supplies as “world supply situation and their economy permit.” The Department also maintained that it would be impossible to give assurances that all South African manganese would be used for defense purposes. It was also to be explained to the Union Government that the U.S. steel industry was key to the U.S. defense effort and that “all minerals used cld probably appropriately be classified as for defense, defense supporting, or for essential needs for own civilian economy and that of the free world.” The Department informed the Embassy, for its own information, that part of the manganese was destined for the United States stockpile. (Telegram 272 to Pretoria, June 27, 1952; 445A.119/6–2152)
5. Ambassador Gallman and Secretary Forsyth later agreed to a compromise statement under which the United States affirmed that its steel industry constituted the keystone of its defense effort and that defense and defense-supporting needs had first priority. (Telegram 4 from Pretoria, July 3, 1952; 411.45A9/7–352 and telegram 8 to Pretoria, July 8, 1952; 411.45A9/7–352)
6. Despatch 529 from Pretoria, June 21, 1952; 411.45A9/6–2152.