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

823.248/354

Memorandum by the Assistant Chief, Division of West Coast Affairs ( Lyon ), to the Director, Office of American Republic Affairs ( Duggan )

[ Washington ,] February 25, 1944.

Mr. Duggan: Colonel Revoredo³ is probably coming to complain to you about the action of the Munitions Assignment Committee “Air” in turning down an application by Peru on February 2 for twelve dive bombers. The refusal to allow Peru to receive these planes is in keeping with our policy which is not to supply combat planes to the other Americas which are not actually engaged in the war. I believe the only exceptions are Mexico and Brazil.⁴

What I had in mind when I spoke to you was the attached letter from Mr. Bonsal⁵ to Jeff Patterson⁶ concerning a military mission for Peru, which Patterson discussed when he was up here last week. I now think it unlikely, however, that Revoredo would be discussing this as it seems to be a matter originating with Colonel Johnson.⁷

3. Col. Armando Revoredo, Peruvian Air Attaché in Washington.
4. For correspondence on the development of a revised policy on sending weapons to the American Republics, see pp. 87 ff.
5. Philip W. Bonsal, Deputy Director, Office of American Republic Affairs; letter not printed.
6. Jefferson Patterson, Counselor of Embassy in Peru.
7. Presumably Col. Bayard A. C. Johnson.