740.0011 European War 1939/27588: Telegram
The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:15 p.m.]
491. For the Under Secretary. My telegram number 463 of January 29, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- In the conversation I had with the President before he saw President Vargas, it was agreed that he would tactfully bring up the United Nations matter. I told President Roosevelt that in my opinion President Vargas was prepared to join. (Aranha let me read his 10–page letter of advice to Vargas.)
- 2.
- President Roosevelt told me that our military authorities were not especially interested in having Brazilian troops sent to North Africa;6 that they would very much like, however, to have President Vargas suggest to Salazar7 that Brazilian troops be sent to Azores and Madeira to relieve Portuguese troops there who might be more [Page 656] usefully employed in Portugal. I agreed with President Roosevelt that he should make that suggestion to President Vargas.
- 3.
- It was agreed also that President Roosevelt while praising the cooperation of the Brazilian Navy would tactfully suggest that construction work on the destroyers and Griffens be expedited. They could be most usefully employed on convoy duty.
President Roosevelt began his conversation with President Vargas by telling him much of what had happened in Africa; told him also of the progress of the war; how our production is getting along; of our attitude to the British and their attitude to us; of the Russian situation; some of our postwar hopes and plans; of his ideas in relation to the future of French colonies in Africa and Dakar in particular and the French possessions in America: in relation to Dakar, he said that he feels that Dakar should be left after the war in some sort of trusteeship; three commissioners, perhaps: one from United States, one from Brazil and one from some Other American country, perhaps. Plans and possibilities were discussed in a general way as to the future of Brazil’s industrial development, immigration into Brazil, et cetera.
In regard to numbered paragraph 1 above, President Vargas indicated that he would take steps to become a member of the United Nations: “However,” he said, “this might be an opportune moment to say again that we need equipment from you for our military, naval and air force.”
In relation to numbered paragraph 2 above, Vargas indicated that he is willing to take up the matter with Salazar. However, on this point also he emphasized the matter of equipment: “We can not,” he said, “send troops to the Portuguese Islands unless you furnish adequate equipment for them.”
In relation to numbered paragraph 3 above, Vargas agreed but reminded us that he had not yet received some needed machinery parts for the destroyers, et cetera, which Secretary Knox8 promised to get here without delay.
The two Presidents were much impressed with their inspection of the American and Brazilian military, naval and air establishments at and near Natal: The airfield is said to be now one of the finest in the world.
I believe both Presidents were delighted with the day. President Vargas, on his way back on the plane yesterday, was most enthusiastic and Aranha tells me this morning that he has rarely seen him so pleased with anything.