812.50/557
The Chairman of the War Production Board ( Nelson ) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Thank you for your letter of March 31st, in which you endorse in principle the “Minimum 1944 Program” for Mexico, developed by the Mexican-American Commission for Economic Cooperation.
In that connection, I am pleased to enclose herewith copy of my letter of today’s date to the Foreign Economic Administrator, together with the report referred to therein.48 I believe that the action we have taken, or are prepared to take as indicated in that report, meets your recommendation that the production and export of materials and equipment for the various projects be authorized as soon as possible without interference with the war effort.
You state in your letter that, “should circumstances arise in which other countries seek treatment similar to that accorded Mexico in the implementation of this program with respect to materials and equipment in short supply, they should be treated on a basis of equality if they have subscribed to and abided by the resolutions adopted at the third meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics at Rio de Janeiro on January 28, 1942.” In that respect, let me say that it has always been our practice to treat such other countries on a basis of equality with each other. I assure you that the same consideration given the Mexican program will also be given to well thought out and balanced programs of other friendly countries to the maximum extent consistent with the demands of our war effort on both the fighting and home fronts, and within the limitations of the plan outlined in our recent exchange of letters49 regarding deferred ratings for worthy foreign projects.
Sincerely,