868.24/127
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Liaison Officer (Wilson)
The Greek Minister called this morning to discuss the proposed purchase of ammunition from the Argentine Government. I read to him portions of the memorandum from Colonel Walker90 pointing out that although it would appear that the War Department has legal authority to purchase these munitions from Argentina, it is unable to sell them to the Greek Government. In answer to my inquiry the Minister expressed great doubt as to whether a private concern could be found which could buy these shells from the Argentine Government and resell them. He did know, however, of a concern which would be able to purchase them from the War Department for resale. He inquired, therefore, whether the War Department would be legally authorized to make such a sale. I said that I would endeavor to ascertain this information.
I then inquired whether he perceived any objection to my discussing the matter informally with the Argentine Ambassador. He replied to this that the Argentine Government had expressed great unwillingness to make the sale in the fear of offending the German and Italian population in Argentina. He did not object, however, to my suggestion and later in the day telephoned me expressing his definite approval. He added for my information that his Government would like to obtain about 200,000 shells for the 75 mm guns, 100,000 for the 0.105 mm guns, and 30,000 for the 155 mm guns. He also stated that these were of the 1919 model, although he was not quite clear on this point.
As the plan involves the possibility of the Greek Government repaying the United States War Department with an amount of shells equal to that purchased from Argentina, I asked Colonel Harris whether the United States Army possessed cannon of the above mentioned calibers. He replied in the affirmative.
- Dated March 3, not printed.↩