Office of the Historian

811.20 Defense (M) Brazil/2243a: Telegram

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

Washington, December 26, 1942—4 p.m.

4060. For Russell, Donnelly, from Allen. This will confirm telephone conversation advising you that the text of the agreement between Rubber Reserve and Semta3 had been approved by Board of Economic Warfare, Rubber Reserve and State Department with the few slight changes given you over the telephone and authorizing you to sign the agreement. We also confirm authority to provide up to $150,000 for construction of reception and other facilities for whatever organization of the Brazilian Government undertakes the responsibility of caring for and placing the labor transported into the Amazon by Semta. You are also authorized to purchase up to 25,000 tons of staple foodstuffs to create a food reserve in the Amazon. You are also authorized to lease such additional storage facilities at Belém, Manáos or other points on the Amazon for storage of the foodstuffs, rubber supplies and equipment. Suggest endeavor to transport to the Amazon not less than 15,000 tons of foodstuffs within the next 30 days and the entire quantity by February 15. We have discussed with João Alberto4 the equipment needed for the movement of 50,000 workmen by Semta and their transportation on the Tocantins River and we have arranged here for a large number of shallow draft boats suitable for transporting labor which can be used on the Tocantins and also on the São Francisco and Parnahyba Rivers. I am planning to arrive in Belém around January 1st or 2d and Joao Alberto is planning to arrive around January 8 and expects to spend a few days at Belém. Suggest desirability of Bouças and Doria being available at Belém at that time. [Allen.]

Hull
  1. The agreement between the Rubber Reserve Company and Semta (the Brazilian organization for the mobilization of workers of the Amazon) provided that the latter assemble at Belém, Pará 50,000 rubber workers at the expense of the Rubber Reserve Company; text of the agreement is quoted in Embassy’s telegram No. 5334, December 15, 1942, not printed.↩
  2. João Alberto Lins de Barros, Brazilian Coordinator of Economic Mobilization.↩