Office of the Historian

832.24/619: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the American Delegation at the Third Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the American Republics

Washington, January 19, 1942—10 p.m.

34. Personal for Mr. Welles. Reference your 21, January 18, 6 p.m., and Duggan’s telephone conversation of today with Caffery.12

The following information regarding Lease-Lend material for the Brazilian Army has been provided by General Marshall:13

Starting now five primary training planes will go forward each month. Deliveries have been made of 50 percent of the primary [Page 637] trainers and those which will be sent now are the remainder. Unless we are able to increase production, 50 basic trainers will not be available until beginning in August. At present production rates, combat planes will not be available for release until fall.

The War Department will notify regarding harbor defense equipment in the near future. Another survey is being made to see if any can be transferred to Brazil from present installations.

Ten light tanks, 30 motorcycles, 31 scout cars, 74 ¼-ton trucks or jeeps and 20 ambulances are now being released for Brazil. Arms and ammunition for weapons on all combat vehicles is likewise being released. A total of 65 light tanks will be shipped at the rate of 10 per month. In February 200 ¼-ton jeeps will be shipped and in March 250. These are weapon carriers as well as scout carriers. Twenty ½ ton weapon carrier trucks will be shipped in February and 100 each month thereafter until a total of 410 has been reached. A total of 380 1½-ton cargo trucks are to be shipped beginning with 90 in February and 90 each month thereafter. A total of 557 ½-ton cargo trucks will be released beginning with a shipment of 182 in February and 100 each succeeding month. Forty-nine 2½-ton prime mover trucks will be shipped at the rate of five a month beginning in February.

For your information the United States troops now engaged and troops now embarking are making very heavy demands daily for ammunition. It is suggested, however, that you limit comment on this situation to the most general terms.

Hull
  1. Concerning the telephone conversation, see footnote 10, above.↩
  2. Gen. George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army.↩