825.00 Revolutions/31: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 6:15 p.m.]
115. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of War told me this morning that it is the intention of the Government to make a thorough investigation of the communistic activities which they believe resulted in the mutiny. They are arresting about four leaders. They wish to investigate not only the activities of these men in Chile but also their contacts and sources of money abroad. Believing that the problem is continental as well as local and believing that for that reason we may be willing to cooperate, they have asked me to convey to you their request for technical assistance in carrying through this investigation. They desire the service of a specialist in communistic propaganda and activities in order to assist in ferreting out the ramifications and origins of the movement in Chile.
Chilean Ambassador in Washington has been advised of desire of Government to have a specialist and I assume negotiations will be with him if employment of specialist outside Government is contemplated. If you should feel that we might profit by releasing for the investigation one of our government officials we should have a clear understanding that his work is to be strictly nonpolitical in character.
It is asserted now that the origin of the mutiny was communistic but from time to time there have been unverified rumors that it had a political character …
Will the Department please instruct me as to what reply to make to the Chilean request?