862.20210/1098½

The Assistant Secretary of State ( Berle ) to the Ambassador in Brazil ( Caffery )

Dear Jeff: I have your letter of March 4.6

As you probably realize, there is only one kind of information which could be called “absolutely reliable” in this situation. This is information which comes from enemy sources. Unhappily, they have been getting and sending information which, in many instances, has been accurate. They insist that it comes out of the Embassy. The assertion by itself would mean nothing; and the information by itself would not prove anything. The combination of the two, however, [Page 187] does give cause for very grave concern. The information is principally military in character.

I regret that I cannot give you excerpts of the various data. The proprietors of the information seem to feel that they can’t do so lest the source be compromised; and very regretfully I am forced to agree with them.

I wish I could be more definite at this stage, but I do not see how I can be until I find someone who is traveling to Rio, who can talk to you directly.

With kind regards, I am

Faithfully yours,

A. A. Berle, Jr.
  1. Not printed; in this letter the Ambassador discounted the possibility of an information leak within the Embassy.