835.24/2581: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Bowers)
278. Department has reviewed situation regarding copper orders and shipments from Chile to Argentina as explained your telegrams Nos. 378 of February 29, 8 p.m. and 382 of March 1, 1 p.m., and copy telegram No. 609 of March 1, 6 p.m.96 from Embassy in Buenos Aires to you.
Department believes that the only shipments which have any basis whatsoever for justification are the 2,000 tons mentioned in FEA’s telegram No. 247 of February 25 [26], 8 p.m.97 and then only providing that shipments are made at rate of 150 tons of semi-manufactures per month. Regarding balance of orders amounting to 4,325 tons, you are requested to employ delaying tactics as much as possible, and to inform Chilean authorities this Government is of opinion that shipments would be very questionable in any instance and particularly undesirable pending the result of joint consultations in progress regarding status of regime now in Argentina. It is perhaps inevitable that Chilean authorities will “pass the buck” to this Government and if so we will assume responsibility.
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