825.20/153a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Bowers)
204. The War Department desires to remove from Chile the major part of the personnel sent down about a year ago with the coastal batteries. The plan is to transfer all United States Army personnel as soon as possible after March 1, except one officer and six men whom, it is understood, the Chileans wish to remain for some 6 weeks longer for additional instruction purposes. Colonel Sackville49 and Colonel Niergarth advise that the Chilean military authorities are in agreement with this proposal. However, it is desired to obtain your judgment before placing it in effect. You may wish to mention the matter to the Foreign Minister or to the President.
[On March 2, 1943, an Agreement between the United States and Chile on the Principles of Mutual Aid Applicable to the Common [Page 817] Defense of the American Continent was signed in Washington by the Acting Secretary of State, Sumner Welles, and the Chilean Ambassador, R. Michels; the agreement was accompanied by an exchange of notes of the same date between the two Governments incorporating specific financial arrangements. Under the terms of this agreement (not printed), the United States promised to supply arms and munitions up to a cost of about $50,000,000 for which Chile was obliged to make payment before January 1, 1949, and to an amount equal to 30% of the cost. Against this debt, which amounted to $15,000,000, Chile was permitted to claim credits for such defense objects and information as it was able to turn over to the United States and for such other defense materials as remained unused in Chile at the end of the emergency and which could be returned to the United States.
Both countries agreed to refrain from transferring title or possession of defense materials or information to a third party and to protect the patent rights of their citizens in them.]
- Col. William Sackville, Commanding Officer, 58th Coast Artillery Detachment in Chile.↩