823.248/8–944: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (White) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:12 p.m.]
1010. Re Department’s secret telegram 833 of August 7, 7 p.m. Since deciphering of my 1009 of August 8, 8 p.m. was impossible I am transmitting reworded text herewith:
“The Embassy is unaware of any commitment to allocate the 12 dive bombers recommended for delivery to Peru by Admiral Spears and Colonel Rogers. They may form part of an extensive list of items desired by General Melgar and submitted to Admiral Spears in October 1943 during his Lima visit, but in so far as Embassy approval was given to Melgar’s request either by Admiral Spears or Colonel Rogers it is not believed that failure to allocate these planes will have any notably adverse effect on Peruvian-United States relationships. Perusal of Embassy despatch 8195, October 17 [27], 1943,31 setting forth at length conversations held with Admiral Spears should [Page 1514] be pertinent. Embassy also shares concern about effect in Ecuador, Colombia, and Chile.”
- Not printed; it indicated that Admiral Spears had received a secret request for numerous defense items from the Minister of Aeronautics (823.24/1020).↩