Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The American Republics, Volume V

824.77/321: Telegram

The Minister in Bolivia (Jenkins) to the Secretary of State

La Paz, October 15, 1940—3 p.m.
[Received 5:30 p.m.]

85. Department’s 37, October 2, 7 p.m. While Department’s press release gives mission of officers as a survey of cost and feasibility of completing Vila Vila–Santa Cruz railway, Captain Bartlett’s orders indicate that he should study entire uncompleted sections between Vila Vila and Corrumba.

Bartlett states that time at his disposal will be enough only to check existing survey between Vila Vila and Santa Cruz, to investigating alternate routes or making full study between Santa Cruz and Corrumba. We feel that in dealing with Bolivian officials Bartlett’s mission should be described as in Department’s press release although he contemplates making aerial reconnaissance between Santa Cruz and Corrumba as corollary to his work. Otherwise unfounded hopes may be raised locally (see the last paragraph of my despatch No. 401, October 5³⁰). Request instructions.³¹

Jenkins

30. Not printed.
31. By telegram No. 41, October 16, 1940, 7 p.m., the Department replied that it had no objection to Captain Bartlett “undertaking such coronary work as may be necessary”.