811.34553B/148a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Portugal (Norweb)71
1795. With regard to the comment made in your 1902, June 19, 7 p.m. to the effect that Campbell now considers himself free to present to Salazar CCS decision we feel that it is very important that this step should be made jointly by you and Campbell at the same time. If this is not possible or practicable we would prefer that you take the first step.
We are of course anxious that the presentation of the CCS decision should be made as soon as possible. It is agreeable to us, however, to delay presentation pending agreement on the Supply Purchase program since it is understood that the program will be completed shortly. As soon as possible after presentation of the CCS decision you are requested to take up with Salazar the question of obtaining his agreement to the American use and control of Santa Maria. Such a commitment on Salazar’s part is necessary in advance of actual construction and in time to reallocate critical material, equipment and personnel now assigned to other important military posts. Delay between completion of the detailed survey and commencement of actual construction must, if possible, be avoided. Necessary reallocation should be accomplished at approximately the same time as the detailed survey commences.
With regard to the mechanics of construction we feel that you may wish to make clear to Salazar that no private commercial company has at present facilities with which to execute so large an undertaking. In view of the importance of the time element it is most desirable to have Salazar permit construction to be carried out by U. S. Army engineers in uniform. The chief reasons for this are that (1) delay would be caused by the necessity of furnishing members of military establishments with civilian clothes and in civilianizing all equipment and materials; and (2) work would move much more rapidly under full military discipline and control than if complicated by civilian cover [Page 37] or supervision. It is therefore most desirable to obtain this concession from Salazar, but rather than risk becoming involved in the Anglo-Portuguese agreement we would prefer to accomplish construction under Panair aegis as in the initial survey. Under this arrangement Panair would supervise only nominally to the extent directed by the War Department and actual construction would be executed by Army engineers. Such civilian cover if adopted at first would be dropped as soon as practicable. Please keep the Department currently informed since it is desirable that understanding with regard to these matters be reached as early as possible. Please show this telegram to Colonel Love and keep him currently informed.
Sent to Lisbon, repeated to London.72