811.20 Defense (M) Portugal/1495: Telegram

The Minister in Portugal (Norweb) to the Secretary of State

1407. Campbell called on Salazar yesterday at the latter’s request and received the following proposals made orally regarding wolfram.

1.
Neutral mines would be closed, the Germans and Allies continuing to be allowed to export the production of their respective mines. (Salazar estimated German mine production at 900 tons and thought it might go below that figure. However, if it should exceed his estimate, he would consider a total export limitation of about 900 tons. He would also consider placing exports on a monthly or quarterly basis.)
2.
Neutral mines would be permitted to continue operations but their production would be turned over to the Allies for export. Both Germans and Allies would be permitted to export production of their respective mines.
3.
Neutral mines would be permitted to continue operations but their production would be stored in Portugal to be purchased after the war by the United States and Great Britain. Both Germans and Allies would be permitted to export production of their respective mines.

Campbell informed Salazar that he would transmit these proposals to his Government but that he only had instructions to discuss wolfram on the basis of total embargo on exports to Germany.

I am seeing Salazar this afternoon and will report fully.

Sent Department; repeated to London as 209; Madrid as 107.

Norweb