854.24/105
The Secretary of State to Admiral William D. Leahy, Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy
My Dear Admiral Leahy: The Swiss Legation has submitted a program of supply for the Swiss Army with a request that Switzerland be permitted to import through the blockade from this country and other sources in this hemisphere the quantities of supplies necessary to meet the annual minimum requirements of the Swiss Army. The list of commodities desired is attached. The Swiss Legation has assured us that if the supplies are authorized, the Swiss authorities will be prepared to distribute the shipments over the next three quarters so that only a third of the requested amounts (except the oats) would have to be authorized at one time. The oats, rubber and toluol are understood to be most urgently needed. It is contended that the situation in Europe requires that the Swiss Army be maintained in a high degree of preparedness. The Swiss authorities offer every guarantee that the supplies requested will be used exclusively by the Swiss Army. I am informed that the American Military Attaché at Bern is satisfied that the supplies requested are, in fact, solely for the use of the Swiss Army, and General Guisan, Commander in Chief of the Swiss Army, has given assurances that any control which the Attaché desires will be established for this purpose.
As you know, a “compensation agreement” has been reached with the Swiss whereby certain critical materials for the Swiss Army will be exchanged for essential Swiss manufactures. The quantities now requested by the Swiss are in addition to and, in certain items, an increase over the quantities established in the agreement. Our Minister at Bern and his Military Attaché recommended that we fill the Swiss Army needs as promptly as possible without awaiting full compensatory exports to the United States under the agreement. Developments in the military situation with respect to Europe will put an increasing strain upon the Axis partners. They will, in turn, make greater demands of the neutrals which, in the case of Switzerland, may include passage of troops. The Swiss have assured us that any such demands will be refused and that the country will resist with its full strength any attempt to violate Swiss neutrality.
In my opinion it is in our vital interests that the Swiss Army be maintained at the highest possible standard of military preparedness and efficiency. While supply routes to Switzerland are still open, advantage should be taken to bring the Swiss Army up to the level essential for the defense of Switzerland, regardless of any present or pending agreement of a compensatory nature. The opinion of the [Page 902] Joint Chiefs of Staff is, of course, paramount. I shall be grateful if you will inform me of their views and, if they accord with mine, if you will issue the necessary directives to the other interested agencies of this Government.
Sincerely yours,