825.6363/274: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Bowers)
1318. Your 1840, October 30, 3 p.m. The Department shares your concern at the situation developing in Chile with regard to the curtailment of petroleum supplies. The Department realizes the extent to which our enemies will continue to exploit the difficulties resulting from the reduction in normal supplies. The Department feels it extremely important to dispel by all possible means the impression which our enemies are endeavoring to create that Chile is being discriminated against.
It has consequently been decided that, within the next few days, Mr. L. H. Nuland, Executive Secretary of the Foreign Petroleum Policy [Page 119] Committee, an interdepartmental group set up by the President, will proceed to Chile in order to discuss with you and with Chilean officials all phases of Chile’s petroleum problems, including those described by you in your telegram under reference. You are authorized to inform the Chilean authorities of Mr. Nuland’s trip and to assure them of this Government’s desire to cooperate fully in the solution of Chile’s problems within the limits of the supply situation which confronts the American republics as a whole. The Chilean Ambassador here has been informed.