740.00112A European War 1939/33567: Telegram
The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 12—6:45 p.m.]
3386. Reference is made to Embassy’s airgram number A–1503, July 10, 1943.93 The following notice appeared in one of Rio’s evening papers today.
“The President of the Republic has signed a Decree-Law ordering the transfer to the Bank of Brazil, as the special agent of the Federal Government, of all powers defined in articles 4, 5 and 6 of Decree-Law number 4807. By the same act, the Economic Defense Commission which was created by the Decree-Law under reference (4807) is abolished and its files will be delivered to the Bank of Brazil. The liquidation of the property and rights of natural and juridical persons included in the provisions of the same Decree-Law will depend on express authorization in each case. The fiscals, administrators and liquidators will be appointed by the President of the Republic, those which now occupy such positions will continue in their functions until further decision by the Government. The orientation of the application of the Decree-Law and the power to work out with the Bank of Brazil the performance of the respective functions are attributed to the Minister of Finance.”
The Minister of Finance telephoned this afternoon to inform me of the signing of the Decree-Law in question and assured me that he will proceed immediately with the nationalization or liquidation of Axis properties in Brazil. He added “We will require the financial assistance of the Export-Import Bank to this end”.
Please inform Export-Import Bank and Alien Property Custodian.
- Not printed.↩