Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

822.24/801

Memorandum by Mr. Orme Wilson, Liaison Officer With the War and Navy Departments

[ Washington ,] January 15, 1944.

Major Roberts of the Army Air Forces telephoned me a few days ago in connection with my memorandum of December 10²² to Colonel Paige²³ that only the Munitions Assignments Committee could determine whether the 25 A–25 Curtiss-Wright dive bombers could be made available to Ecuador. He asked whether the Department desired to have the Ecuadoran request submitted to the Committee.

After consulting RA,²⁴ I informed Major Roberts that this Department did not consider with favor the delivery of these planes to Ecuador. He told me that if I would inform him to that effect in writing, he would suggest informally to the Committee that the Ecuadoran request be rejected. He felt certain that the Committee would follow this suggestion.

22. Not printed.
23. Col. H. Ray Paige, Army Air Forces.
24. Division of the American Republics.