Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, The American Republics, Volume V

832.796/853c: Telegram

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

Washington, March 26, 1942—10 p.m.

776. Buenos Aires’ telegram to you of March 20.⁵ It is assumed that the Brazilian Government will sell the expropriated Lati airplanes to this Government and not to the Argentine or to any Argentine company. It is, of course, obvious that Germany and Italy are directly behind attempts of Corporación, Fiat, and other Argentine companies to obtain Lati airplanes.

If you believe it desirable you may reassure the Brazilians that the United States will purchase and pay a reasonable price for the Lati planes.

Welles

5. See telegram No. 519, March 20, from the Ambassador in Argentina, p. 432. For correspondence on the efforts of the United States to eliminate Axis influence in the operation of commercial air companies in Argentina, see pp. 428 ff.