832.24/703: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery)
427. Your 479, February 18, midnight. In my judgment, satisfactory arrangements regarding urgently needed military and naval matériel have been arrived at, including all of the matériel contained in my message to President Vargas.36 The President has personally interested himself in the matter, being fully aware of the importance to the war effort of the wholehearted cooperation of President Vargas and the Government of Brazil.
Dr. Souza Costa, who, of course, has been advised at every step by General Amaro, has informed me that he regards as satisfactory the arrangements concerning naval matériel. He has also expressed satisfaction with the arrangements regarding aviation matériel now that the 50 Vultee BT–15’s have been made available. He naturally hoped to be able to secure some combat aircraft but appreciates the critical demand for combat planes by troops of the United Nations now actually fighting. A few combat planes will be made available.
With regard to ground matériel, instructions have been issued to have all of this matériel scheduled for delivery during January and February assembled at New Orleans for shipment on a Brazilian vessel March 7. Moreover, in addition to the 20 light tanks which will be ready for shipping on this vessel there will be assembled for delivery during March at New Orleans or whatever other port Brazil selects an additional 30 light tanks. Thereafter, the regular scheduled delivery of 10 per month will be maintained until 65 tanks are turned over. I regard this arrangement concerning tanks as the utmost that could be obtained. The extent to which we have gone to make these light tanks available is clear from the fact that they have been taken away from our own troops, which, on account of heavy deliveries to forces fighting the Axis in Libya, in Russia, and in the Far East, are already insufficiently supplied.
As a further indication of our desire to share available matériel with the Brazilians, four antiaircraft guns, complete with fire control and a reasonable amount of ammunition, are being immediately made available. These guns have a range, I am told, of 30,000 to 35,000 feet. Dr. Souza Costa has requested such guns for the protection of Natal, Belém and Fernando de Noronha. These guns have been protecting a plant making a vital piece of equipment.
With regard to the three urgently needed items mentioned in my telegram no. 276, February 5, 2 p.m., the Brazilians have accepted 1,000 armor-piercing and 4,000 high-explosive 6-inch shells.
[Page 648]Armament and munitions for the 10 tanks and 10 scout cars already in Brazil will be available for shipment on March 7. Finally, the highest priority has been given for the modification of the 7-inch gun carriages.
With regard to the spare parts mentioned in your 377, February 7, 6 p.m.,37 a request has today been presented to Mr. Hopkins that he make them immediately available, and this will be done.
Dr. Souza Costa has also raised the question of a specific delivery schedule for the other important items, such as light and medium tanks and antiaircraft and antitank guns, for which requisitions have been filed. Including aircraft, these items are among the most difficult to furnish, since they are precisely the implements most needed by forces now engaged in fighting. With the augmentation of production it should be possible to make some deliveries on these items during the coming months, and the War Department has stated that it anticipates all the items in which Dr. Souza Costa has expressed particular interest can be made available to Brazil prior to the end of the present calendar year. It is, however, utterly impossible, in view of the war situation, as well as shipping difficulties to make firm commitments now regarding monthly deliveries. I will explain this to Dr. Souza Costa when he returns from New York on Tuesday.
I suggest that you go over the foregoing with President Vargas, not only to convey to him the factual information but to give him an idea of the extent to which the President went to make available this equipment, particularly the tanks and the four antiaircraft guns. Please assure the President that every proper effort will be made to assure the delivery of the other equipment for which requisitions have been filed during the balance of the year but that it is not possible at this precise moment to develop a fixed delivery schedule for the tight items such as light and medium tanks and antiaircraft and antitank guns, and that this will have to be agreed upon after the departure of Dr. Souza Costa.