825.51/1154: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received (October 12)—11:42 a.m.]
178. For the Under Secretary. Wachholtz Minister of Finance and thought to be strong man of the Government asked to see me at my house this afternoon for certain advice. He is prepared to accept the invitation to Washington and to sail on Santa Lucia arriving at New York on November 15. He sets forth certain purposes of the visit as follows: first, to do what he can to facilitate the commercial treaty; second, to discuss the possibility of getting additional credits from the Export-Import Bank; third, to go over the development plans here in detail and to get in touch with material people concerning purchases required under these plans; fourth, to improve the exchange situation by arranging if possible a longer term loan from Central Bank; fifth, he refers to conversations between Chilean and our delegates at Panama City about the needs of a better defense and patrol of the Pacific Coast and he proposes to discuss this matter with us.
He wishes some intimation of what we may want to discuss so he can take with him the necessary documentation.
If he goes he will be accompanied by Pedugal [Pedregal], Vice President of Fomento Corporation, Alfonso Fernandez, head of the Amortization Board, and possibly De la Cuarda, head of Exchange Control Commission.
It will be noted while most of the matters he mentions are under his jurisdiction, one at least is a matter for Minister for Foreign Affairs though in that case, the first, there are features his department would determine. In the meanwhile he wishes no publicity.
My impression is his visit would greatly clarify things in which we are interested. Since he must have a definite reaction to his visit in time to make reservations, please reply at earliest possible moment.
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