816.6363/75: Airgram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in El Salvador ( Thurston )

A–297. Department’s A–286, July 1, 1943. After receiving the Department’s memorandum of June 25, which was quoted in the airgram under reference, the Salvadoran Economic Mission requested an additional 100,000 gallons of diesel oil for the cotton industry for the 6 months’ period May 1 to September 30. The Mission stated that the total requirements for the cotton industry amounted to approximately 132,000 gallons but that the remaining 32,000 gallons would be supplied from the 40 percent quota. The Mission further stated that the requirements for the mines would be reduced to 40 percent of consumption, that is, from about 25,536 gallons to 10,214 gallons per month, thus saving 15,322 gallons per month.

It was realized that, while over a period of time this savings would take care of the estimated needs of the cotton crop, this would not be accomplished during the remainder of this year. After discussions with the Mission on the basis of the information presented, with account taken of your recent pertinent despatches, the decision Was reached to supply a further 1,000 barrels of oil to Salvador during the remainder of the year in order that the needs of the cotton industry can be covered on an approximately current basis. Accordingly, the following supplemental memorandum, which revises as indicated the Department’s memorandum of June 25, was handed to the Mission on June 30:

“Reference is made to the memorandum from the Salvadoran Economic Mission dated June 28, 1943,35 in which an allotment of [Page 321] diesel oil in addition to those set forth in the Department’s memorandum of June 25, 1943, is requested to take care of the needs of the Salvadoran cotton industry. Most careful consideration has been given to this request in the light of the pertinent information contained in that memorandum and the previous memorandums from the Salvadoran Economic Mission and account has been taken of the facts presented orally by the Mission in regard to this matter. As a result of this consideration an additional allotment of 1,000 barrels of diesel oil will be supplied to El Salvador during the remainder of this year in view of the requirements of the cotton industry.

“As the Mission has requested in paragraph numbered 3 under the heading ‘Remarks’ in its memorandum of June 28, 1943, the quantities of 176 [178] barrels of gasoline and 209 barrels of diesel oil listed in the table on the third page of the Department’s memorandum of June 25, which are being supplied because of the needs of the truck service associated with the International Railways of Central America and not for the railway, will be removed from the war essential classification and added to the global allotments made available for purposes essential to the economy of El Salvador.

“As a consequence of the foregoing, the global allotment of 1,208 barrels of gasoline, given in the Department’s memorandum of June 25, 1943, will be increased by the addition of 176 barrels to a total of 1,384 barrels. Similarly, the global allotment of 1,673 barrels of diesel oil will be increased by the addition of 209 barrels and 1,000 barrels to a total of 2,882 barrels. The total new allotment for war essential uses, as stated on page 3 of the Department’s memorandum afore-mentioned, should be reduced accordingly to 1,126 [1,124] barrels of gasoline and 759 barrels of diesel oil.

“With regard to paragraph numbered 4 in the Mission’s memorandum under reference, the above-mentioned global allotments of 1,384 barrels of gasoline and 2,882 barrels of diesel oil are maximum amounts made available, in addition to the quota, on the basis of requirements considered in the light of the supply situation. They are subject to allocation by the appropriate rationing authorities but should not be exceeded.”

[Here follows a paragraph making the two above-indicated corrections in the number of barrels of gasoline to be supplied.]

The Mission referred to the fact that they had applied to the Board of Economic Warfare for serial numbers for the mines which would enable them to obtain critical materials, and inquired whether oil would be made available for any mine which received such a number. Sr. Mejía indicated that he had hope only in one case, that of the silver mine, of being granted such a number. The Mission was informed that if a serial number was granted in the case of any mine, the necessary requirements for oil would be met.

The Embassy, by its endeavor with the Salvadoran authorities and by its reports to the Department, has been most helpful in regard to the various recent questions concerning the supply of oil to Salvador.

Hull
  1. Not found in Department files.