811.20 Defense (M)/33: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)
1738. Your 1782, June 22, and Department’s 1680, July 9. The Department has again discussed this question with the National Defense Commission and hopes that you will secure from the British Government promptly the information asked in Department’s 1680.
The Procurement Division of the Treasury is authorized to buy large amounts of chromite and funds are now available for this purpose. It states that it knows of no basis on which it could carry through except c. i. f. American port. This would appear to make it necessary that shipping be arranged by the Turkish Government or its agents unless the British Government has a better arrangement to suggest.
Please advise Department whether it would expedite matter if it also took up this possibility with Embassy in Istanbul and if so along what lines.
This Government would also be definitely interested in acquiring stocks of Rhodesian ore if you can persuade the British Government to assist in supplying our reserve requirements by releasing additional amounts from that area.