823.24/8–1144: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Peru ( White )
864. The Department views as most serious the tendency reported in your 1026 of August 11 for the increase in re-exports of American merchandise from Peru to Argentina. It is desired that you at the [Page 1544] earliest opportunity seek an interview with the appropriate officials to state in a friendly but firm way your Government’s concern at this development. You should say that not only is the re-exportation of American merchandise contrary to the letter and spirit of the export laws and regulations now in force and the working arrangements we have with the various American Governments, but also that this action, particularly in the case of Argentina, results in the negation of adopted policies of concerted hemispheric action. Argentina could not obtain direct from the United States the goods moving from Peru. These goods were furnished Peru at some considerable sacrifice to civilian consumers in this country and the quantities also detract from the total supplies available for the use of other friendly Governments and peoples throughout the world.
I am sure that your approach to the Peruvian Government will be an entirely friendly and understanding one, but that you will at the same time make it unmistakably clear that unless this practice ceases immediately, the only result can be the diminution of supplies to Peru.