File No. 832.30/22
The Ambassador in Brazil (Morgan) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8.25 p.m.]
… Minister of Marine has authority to engage five American naval officers: two as professors in the Naval War College and three fire control officers; requests Embassy to secure their prompt detail.
Brazil is prepared to send a squadron of four destroyers and two scouts to Southern European waters to cooperate with the fleet of one of the Allies. If we have a squadron patrolling Mediterranean or lane between Azores and Gibraltar, recommend that this division be invited to join American squadron even should military advantage prove insignificant. Important to offset effect of French purchase of ex-German ships by some visual demonstration of Brazilian-American solidarity which would appeal to the poorest mind. Submarine will probably be ordered in France instead of United States because Brazil has credit there derived from ship deal.