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  3. Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The American Republics, Volume VII
  4. Document 417

823.248/248: Telegram

The Ambassador in Peru ( Norweb ) to the Secretary of Stale

Lima , October 20, 1941—2 p.m.
[Received 9:05 p.m.]

561. My telegram No. 556, October 18, 1 p.m.28 The following points were brought out in a meeting with Bonsal,29 the Military and Naval Attachés,30 the Chief of the United States Aviation Mission31 and Drew.32

1.
Reports are current that due to the incident of the planes the Peruvian Congress is to debate the desirability of canceling the Metals Reserve Company contract to show their resentment toward the United States regardless of the fact that it would hurt Peru.
2.
Popular feeling is running so high that moving picture audiences greet with unfriendly demonstrations any pictures about the United states.
3.
The Chief of the Aviation Mission feels very strongly that the future usefulness of the mission depends upon securing substitutes for the diverted planes. He thinks the Vultee trainers will help but by no means will solve the problem of carrying on the program of the mission. The Military and Naval Attachés agree with Colonel Moore.
4.
The Embassy does not wish to suggest the reversal of the decision taken to requisition these planes but does wish to make the following suggestions:
(a)
The 18 planes now understood to be in warehouse in New York should immediately be put to some defense use.
(b)
The Vultee trainers for Peru, export licenses for which are understood to have been granted, should be shipped as soon as possible and the Embassy informed regarding dates.
(c)
It would be extremely helpful if the War or State Department could make an announcement covering first the method of payment to Peru for the requisitioned planes and second the desire and intention of our Government to do everything possible to meet the requirements of Peru as soon as the considerations of national defense, are [as] set forth in the statement of the Secretary of War regarding the requisition of the planes, are no longer applicable.
Norweb
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Philip W. Bonsal, Acting Chief of the Division of the American Republics; at this time he was in Peru as Department’s representative at the Foreign Service conference.↩
  3. Lt. Col. Uzal G. Ent and Lt. Comdr. Willard R. Gaines, respectively.↩
  4. Col. James T. Moore.↩
  5. Gerald A. Drew, Second Secretary of Legation in Ecuador, attending the Foreign Service conference at Lima.↩