740.00112A EW/8–844: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Bowers)
889. For Russell from Swihart. Discussions with officers in Department concerning memorandum to be presented to Interdepartmental Executive Committee on Economic Foreign Policy with respect to continuation of Proclaimed List during post-hostilities period have raised the following question.
It is the consensus of the two Economic Offices that it would be undesirable to remove list in Western Hemisphere and to retain it for European neutrals and Argentina. It is believed if list is to be retained for a short period after hostilities it should be continued throughout. It is recognized list would be substantially decreased for many of other American republics but would contain a small number of Axis spearheads not brought under local controls. Preliminary discussions with Office of Other American Republics reflect an open mind on this matter. Before making final determination, however, ARA75 wishes to study any contemplated statement to be made public and contemplated policy to be pursued.
In as much as we have all assumed up to this point that continuation of list in other American republics after cessation of hostilities “was politically impractical urgently request your views. [Swihart.]
- Office of American Republic Affairs.↩