Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, The American Republics, Volume V

862.20210/1144: Telegram

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

Washington, March 23, 1942—10 p.m.

738. Your 992, March 22, 7 p.m., and 993, March 22, 8 p.m.⁸ The Department appreciates that it will be necessary to supply such evidence as in your discretion will be essential to deal with the situation, but in view of the importance of the source of information we are extremely anxious that everything possible be done to prevent its being jeopardized or destroyed. In view of the fact that it is at least uncertain on which side the sympathies of the Rio de Janeiro Chief of Police lie, could you go direct to President Vargas or Aranha⁹ with the evidence which it may be necessary to supply? This might have the double advantage of decreasing the danger of the spies being released and also diminish the chances of publicity concerning the arrests and the method of the accomplishment thereof.

As to the messages accruing since Department’s instruction 2286 of March 5,¹⁰ Department is forwarding them (Supplement 13) by courier reaching Rio de Janeiro on Friday, March 27. Will that be in sufficient time for your purposes?

[Here follow two sentences on decoding and paraphrasing.]

Welles

8. Latter not printed.
9. Oswaldo Aranha, Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs.
10. Not printed.