832.24/1145: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:10 p.m.]
1698. Confirming my conversation this afternoon with Duggan.91 Your telegram 1221, October 12, 2 [11] p.m.
Instructions came from Ministry of War Brazil for purchase through Merry del Val Company and conveyed to me by Brazilian Ambassador. In your telegram No. 1121, September 25, 8 p.m. you said Metals Reserve had agreed to instruct Anaconda to sell amount asked, and I so informed the Ambassador. Your No. 1221 puts me in a most embarrassing position since my relations with Brazilian Ambassador are very close and constant and it happens that Merry del Val is his son-in-law. I feel strongly that it will be a serious mistake to ignore your No. 1121 at this stage and result in resentment of Ambassador with whom it is of the utmost importance that I [Page 72] maintain the closest and friendliest relations. There seems no doubt that the order is genuine and from Brazil’s Ministry of War. Whatever may result in the future urge that this one order be put through.
- Laurence Duggan, Adviser on Political Relations.↩