740.0011 European War 1939/27053: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 12—2:25 a.m.]
59.… ex-President Arturo Alessandri tonight made a last desperate attempt to forestall a break with the Axis. He sent to all Santiago newspapers an article asserting his friendly feeling toward the United States and the Allies but denying that any offense or action had occurred which would justify Chile severing its ties with the totalitarian powers. The article urged that the question be submitted to a national plebiscite which he asserted would be unfavorable to rupture of diplomatic relations.