811.248/358: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery)
Washington, February 24, 1942—10
p.m.
451. Your 558, February 23, 4 p.m. I fully understand the immense difficulties which are involved. However, in your conversation [Page 652] with President Vargas certain points should be made entirely plain.
- 1.
- This Government has just given concrete evidence to Brazil of the fact that even at great sacrifice to itself it is doing everything possible to supply Brazil with her naval and military requirements.
- 2.
- The defeat of the Axis powers is clearly as much in the interest of Brazil as it is in the interest of the United States.
- 3.
- The ability of the United States effectively to assist in turning the Japanese tide in the Far East depends to a desperately large extent on our ability to rush the bombing planes rapidly to the Far East. For that reason our Ferry Service must be expanded rapidly in northeastern Brazil in order to take care of the largely increased amount of planes we are now sending. In order to carry this out effectively we have got to have trained and experienced technicians to do the job. That is the sole reason why this request is being made. If members of the Brazilian Air Force were properly trained and experienced to do this work we would be asking them to do it for us.
- 4.
- In accordance with the terms of the suggestion made, the expansion of our Ferry Service will give Brazilian pilots an extraordinarily valuable opportunity for practical training in the handling of combat planes.
- 5.
- I feel confident that if General Olds can go personally to Brazil once you have prepared the foundation for such discussion, he can reach a satisfactory understanding through personal contacts with Salgado and Eduardo Gomes.
- 6.
- The time element, as President Vargas will realize, is of the utmost importance. Every day now counts.
Welles