856A.20/121a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
3520. For Ambassador Biddle.4 Please deliver at earliest moment the following message from the President to Queen Wilhelmina:
“Your Majesty’s gracious letter5 is appreciated and I regret sincerely that matters of state prevent your visit to Hyde Park at this time. Mrs. Roosevelt and I cannot be but deeply disappointed but trust that your visit is only delayed.
Your heavy responsibilities are fully appreciated yet since I may not have the pleasure of welcoming you to Hyde Park now, I venture to raise in this message a matter of great mutual concern to your country and mine.
This country secures from the Bauxite mines in Surinam 2 million tons of ore annually or 65 percent of our total supply and if this supply were interrupted in any way it would most seriously delay the production of aircraft which are so urgently needed by all nations resisting aggression.
The information reaching me indicates that the Bauxite installations in Surinam are at present inadequately protected and could be destroyed either by sabotage or by raiders approaching from land, sea, or air. In addition the transportation of the ore could be interrupted by sinking ships in the river approaches to the mines since these are the only avenues of egress for the ore.
The situation is so grave that I turn to you direct in order that a way may be found for you and your Government to devise further [Page 812] means of protection. If you approve, I should be prepared, having in mind the Habana procedure,6 to make arrangements for the immediate entry of troops into Surinam to remove the threat to this source of critical raw material. If this form of protection is agreed, I and any American associates will of course give you formal assurance that occupation by American troops would be a temporary measure for the period of the emergency only and that they will be withdrawn as soon as the threat of damage to these vital mines is removed. The military forces involved will approximate a battalion of infantry, a battery of antiaircraft artillery together with the necessary aircraft and service troops. The total force should not exceed 3,000 officers and men. They would be accompanied by suitable vessels to patrol the river approaches to the mines.
I am confident you will realize that the situation requires immediate action, and while our preparations to move are being completed, we cannot go forward without the urgent reply of you and your Government.
The importance of secrecy is so great that I suggest the utmost precautions be taken to insure that no information is divulged until you and I are agreed in principle upon the course of action and subsequently upon the text of identical announcements. With this initiative upon our parts the details can be carried on by the appropriate officials of our respective governments.
Mrs. Roosevelt’s and my enjoyment of Princess Juliana and her husband’s visit can only be exceeded by our anticipated pleasure in welcoming you at an early date in this country.
Your friend,
Franklin D. Roosevelt.”