811.20 Defense (M) Mexico/238a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)
392. Rubber Reserve Company1 is prepared to enter into commitment with Mexican Government to purchase entire production of rubber in Mexico except for an appropriate amount (to be agreed upon) necessary for domestic consumption, at price of 35 cents per pound c. & f. United States continental port for usual good quality castilloa rubber as understood in New York, with appropriate differentials for upper grades. The term of the agreement would be for 5 years, price being subject to adjustment after 2 years by mutual agreement if conditions change. The Government of Mexico would agree to restrict export licenses to Rubber Reserve Company or its nominees. The exportation of manufactured rubber, if any, would be restricted to the United States. Mexico would agree to use its best efforts to cause maximum amount of rubber to be produced and made available for sale to Reserve. Local labor would be financed locally for necessities for collecting rubber. Some Mexican governmental agency might be designated as the single buying agency under the contract, if this seemed best way of securing results; otherwise sales would be made through usual trade channels now in existence. Price on sales to Rubber Reserve would also be fixed as local sales price.
[Page 484]Foregoing proposal corresponds generally to agreements entered into with Brazilian Government on March 3.2
For your information we understand certain American republics are negotiating to acquire rubber production in some Latin American countries. Please consult immediately proper Mexican authorities and request their prompt consideration of proposal. If Mexican authorities agreeable in principle to sale of rubber to United States, Rubber Reserve willing to enter into an agreement immediately to acquire it. Upon consummation of purchasing agreement we will be prepared to discuss with Mexican authorities any useful joint arrangements to increase rubber production.
- An agency of the United States Government.↩
- See bracketed note and telegram No. 640, March 13, 7 p.m., to the Ambassador in Brazil, vol. v, p. 692.↩