810.74/547: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Bowers)
1302. Your 1808, October 24, noon. Please seek an early interview with President Ríos for the purpose of bringing the following to his attention:
Since the Axis missions in Santiago have been denied the use of secret code or cipher on circuits extending directly out of the hemisphere, they have continued to communicate in secret code or cipher with their Governments by way of the Axis missions in Buenos Aires, resorting to the commercial circuits that connect the two capitals. They are, consequently, still free to transmit to their Governments by secret rapid communication, as they have in the past, information that may lead to the loss of ships and lives of the American republics. This Government is most anxious that means may be found for bringing under control this last channel of secret rapid communication by Axis agents in Chile with their Governments, and it feels that it can count on the sympathy and friendly cooperation of the Chilean Government in achieving this objective.
Having made the foregoing clear to President Ríos, you should ask for any suggestions that he may have for remedying this situation, saying that you feel free to make this request in view of the cordial relations that exist between our two Governments and previous assurances that the Chilean Government will do whatever is necessary to prevent Axis agents in Chilean territory from taking any action [Page 171] detrimental to the American republics. You should point out to the President that, even if the private companies were to refuse all messages in secret code or cipher over the lines to Buenos Aires, the Axis missions would still be free to communicate secretly over the national telegraph system to Argentina.
You should indicate clearly that, in our view, the telecommunication situation will not have been completely remedied while it is still possible for Axis agents in Chile to make any use of Chile’s external telecommunication facilities, whether for plain messages or code. You may say, however, that a complete denial of secret code facilities to the Axis missions would be an important step in this direction.
Of course, if the Axis missions in Chile are denied the use of telecommunication facilities, they will still be free to send confidential communications to Buenos Aires by overland or air mail. However, the delay involved would have an important effect in limiting the means by which Axis agents in Chile can do damage to us and to the other American republics.
You should, of course, be alert to guard against any action by the Chilean Government that would impair our communications or those of your British colleague.