825.85/179: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4 p.m.]
966. Your 554, May 27, 1 p.m. On May 24, I conveyed to the Minister of Foreign Relations68 the suggestion in regard to a press release contained in the Department’s 531, May 21 [20], 6 p.m. He informed me that the sale had not received the approval of the President and that Vial was resorting to many devices to cause variations in the price of CSAV stock for speculative purposes. So far as CSAV is concerned, I am convinced that it is a purely opportunist deal which is being battered about for private gain without one iota of design to cooperate in our war effort.
I recommend that the Department urge upon the Chilean Embassy to ascertain the President’s attitude on the sale, that the American Government make a final definite offer in cash and other considerations to the CSAV and the Chilean Embassy and that shortly thereafter the press be informed of the terms with emphasis on the fact that it is a business deal deemed mutually advantageous to both parties. While I have been away from the American scene some time, I think the American people will like the business approach angle and it would certainly be in accord with the facts so far as the CSAV is concerned.
- Joaquin Fernández Fernández.↩