825.50/90: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Bowers)
1172. Your 1605, October 1, 4 p.m.49 It would appear that at least certain of the Ministers accompanying President Ríos entertain the belief that this Government is prepared to bargain economic assistance to Chile for rupture of relations by Chile. Any such belief is totally in error. Our position in the premises is set forth clearly in the Department’s 649, June 6, 6 p.m. The only development since [Page 36] that time which at all bears on the question was the statement that President Roosevelt made to Ambassador Michels to the effect that this Government would provide Chile, in the case it severed diplomatic relations with the Axis, (a) with certain additional armament in order to place Chile in a better position to repel attack from Axis quarters and (b) with economic assistance in the unlikely event of large-scale unemployment caused by the attack and shutdown of Chilean mines by the Axis.
It is believed desirable that there be no misunderstanding as to the attitude of this Government by the President and the members of his party.
- Not printed.↩