832.852/46: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery)
3740. Your 4904, November 23. The vessels mentioned have been studied by the War Shipping Administration and the War Department, and because of their age and lack of speed, agencies mentioned do not believe that they would be suitable for the purposes which they have in mind. As you undoubtedly realize, the vessels are to be used as troop transports in inter-island routes. Therefore, the question of their suitability for ocean service is of no great significance.
Please impress upon the Brazilians that these vessels are urgently required in the prosecution of the war.
As stated in Department’s 3591,44 in view of the Army’s interest, officials of the War Production Board and the War Shipping Administration are prepared to discuss arrangements for the production and transportation of up to 40,000 tons of rails. However, authorities here do not believe it possible to enter into a discussion involving the production and transportation of this amount of material unless the Brazilians are prepared to turn over all six vessels. As previously stated, this Government would much prefer to acquire these vessels either through purchase or charter, in which case it would be interested in any part of the six vessels which the Brazilian Government feels might be released without prejudicing coastwise trade.
It is also the opinion of those here who are acquainted with Brazilian shipping that the withdrawal of these vessels from Brazilian trade would not seriously damage coastwise service if other Brazilian vessels were efficiently used and allocated without regard to commercial aspects to the most important Brazilian coastwise trades. The presentation of this view is left to your discretion.
Please emphasize in your discussion of this matter with the Brazilians that these vessels would represent a real contribution to our war effort at a time when such a contribution is needed.
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