625.4131/19
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Chile (Frost)
Sir: Reference is made to your confidential despatch No. 819 of January 8, 193827 in which you refer to the negotiations for a commercial treaty between Chile and Great Britain, and request an instruction as to the course which the Embassy should follow in the possible interchange of information with the British Embassy in Santiago regarding commercial treaty and trade agreement negotiations between the United States and Chile and Great Britain and Chile.
The Department readily understands the value attaching to frank interchange of confidential information between the two embassies in Santiago, and has no objection to such action in appropriate instances provided that due care be exercised in selecting the information to be disclosed, and that the matter be handled in a discreet manner. The Department is particularly desirous, however, that the Embassy avoid any action which might lead the Chilean Government to believe that the Governments of the United States and Great Britain are taking concerted action vis-à-vis the Chilean Government. You are also requested to bear in mind in disclosing confidential information to the British Embassy on the subject of a treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation, or a reciprocal trade agreement, that this Government is now negotiating a trade agreement with the Government of Great Britain.
Very truly yours,
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