740.0011 European War 1939/27216
The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 16.]
Sir: With reference to my despatch No. 5386 of January 7, 1943,1 with which I enclosed a memorandum of my conversation with Dr. Raul Morales Beltramí,2 in which he outlined to me the contemplated steps which would proceed [precede] the break of relations between Chile and the Axis powers, I have the honor to report that to date the plan explained by Dr. Morales has been followed: the President of the Republic,3 accompanied by his Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Joaquin Fernández Fernández, left last night for Viña del Mar, and the papers announced for next week a Cabinet meeting and a meeting of the Senate at which the Foreign Minister would explain the proposed change in Chile’s international policy.
The Foreign Minister sent word to me yesterday that everything was progressing rapidly toward the break.
Respectfully yours,