611.3331/222b
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Uruguay (Reed)
Sir: We are sending Mr. William A. Fowler, Assistant Chief, Division of Trade Agreements, and Mr. James C. Sappington, 3d, Economic Analyst in the same division, to Buenos Aires and Montevideo for the purpose of obtaining information in regard to various matters, largely of a technical nature, concerning our trade relations with Argentina and Uruguay, particularly matters of exchange. [Page 923] They will sail from New York on December 3, 1938, on the S. S. Uruguay, accompanied by their wives, and they are under instructions to return on the S. S. Brazil, scheduled to sail from Buenos Aires on January 21, 1939.
Upon arrival at Montevideo, they will, of course, establish contact with the Legation and will wish to discuss the current exchange situation and other matters with officials of the Legation and of the Consulate General before talking with the appropriate Uruguayan officials.
While in Montevideo, they will naturally explore further the possibility of finding a mutually satisfactory basis for trade-agreement negotiations. However, for reasons which you will appreciate, we wish so far as possible to avoid any publicity concerning the trip which Mr. Fowler and Mr. Sappington are making or their activities while in Buenos Aires or Montevideo. If the representatives of the press should inquire as to the purpose of their trip, you should inform them merely that two trade experts of the Department of State are being sent to Buenos Aires and Montevideo for a short time for the purpose stated in the first sentence of this instruction. If the question is asked whether this has anything to do with trade-agreement negotiations, the answer might be that some of the information obtained by these officers doubtless would assist in determining whether trade-agreement negotiations are feasible. Please make suitable arrangements with the appropriate Uruguayan authorities with regard to the avoidance of publicity.
Mr. Fowler and Mr. Sappington will communicate with the Legation from Buenos Aires as to the time of their arrival in Montevideo, and you are requested to afford all possible assistance to them in connection with their special mission.
Very truly yours,