724.3415/2321½
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (White)
Mr. Edwards of the Chilean Embassy called and read me a telegram from his Government which stated the desire of Chile to cooperate with the Neutrals and not to make their task more difficult and then set forth views along the same lines as those in telegram No. 201 of September 10, noon, from the Embassy in Santiago. The telegram also mentioned that the position of Chile was somewhat complicated by the shipment from the United States of airplanes to Bolivia via Arica accompanied by an aviator to help set up the airplanes and fly them.
With reference to the first point, I told Mr. Edwards that the Neutrals would welcome the cooperation of the neighboring countries and that for this purpose I would call a meeting for three o’clock tomorrow afternoon, if convenient to him, at which the representatives in Washington of the other neighboring countries would be asked to be present. Mr. Edwards said that he would be present.
With regard to the second point, I told Mr. Edwards that the airplanes were not provided by this Government. He said he appreciated that they were bought from commercial companies. I told him that we have no authority of law for stopping such shipments but that should the Chilean Government hold them up at Arica no complaint would be made by us. Mr. Edwards said that he would advise his Government in this sense.