811.504 Mexico/168
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)
Sir: Reference is made to the Agreements of August 4, 1942 and April 29, 1943 for the temporary migration of Mexican agricultural and non-agricultural workers to the United States. The Department has now received a communication dated November 1, 1943 from Governor Paul V. McNutt,75 Chairman of the War Manpower Commission, in which he requests that the Mexican Government be approached with a view of securing its permission to the transfer of agricultural workers who may not be needed during the winter months to employment under the non-agricultural agreement.
Governor McNutt states that he has been informed by the War Food Administration that at least 10,000 Mexican agricultural workers will become available for such transfer between November 1 and December 31. In his letter he lists a variety of industries in which these workers could perform a valuable service in the production of materials of importance in the war effort.
You are requested to discuss this proposal with the Mexican Foreign Office with a view to securing the desired permission. Please inform the Department on an urgent basis of the results of your representations.
Very truly yours,
- Not printed.↩