832.30/543
The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to
the Secretary of State
No. 14722
Rio de Janeiro, February 25,
1944.
[Received March 6.]
Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 14708 of
February 24, 194465
concerning the new Brazilian naval program proposed by the Minister of
the Navy,66 I have the honor to transmit herewith some comments
thereon prepared by Captain W. S. Macaulay, Chief of the United States
Naval Mission:
- “1.…67
- “2. These comments are based on the following assumptions:
- (a)
- That the Natal statement of Presidents Roosevelt
and Vargas68 that they had ‘reached complete
agreement that it must be permanently and definitely
assured that the coasts of West Africa and Dakar
never again under any circumstances be allowed to
become a blockade or an invasion threat against the
two Americas’ will be implemented.
- (b)
- That Brazil and the United States will conclude a
new or continue the existing Political-Military
agreement for their mutual and joint defense and for
the defense of the Western [Page 572] Hemisphere, i.e.,
the United States and Brazil are assuming mutual
responsibility.
- (c)
- That after the war the United States will have
more naval tonnage available than will be desirable
for us to keep in commission.
- (d)
- That a ‘quid pro quo’ will be agreed upon for the
transfer of naval vessels to Brazil.
- (e)
- That the U.S. Naval Mission will be continued
after the war and will be able to exert influence on
the disposition, employment and operation of these
vessels after their transfer to Brazil.
- (f)
- That transfer of vessels will be made with the
proviso that such transfer will be effected when the
U.S. Navy considers Brazilian crews are sufficiently
trained to operate the vessels concerned.
- [Here follows an analysis of certain military and naval
factors in the situation.]
- “11. From a purely military viewpoint, i.e., without
considering the political aspects involved, if the Brazilian
Navy did not maintain a force capable of carrying out the
above tasks the United States should. A logical U. S. task
force for this area would consist of one division of
cruisers (4), two carriers, and two destroyer squadrons
(sixteen destroyers and two destroyer leaders) with
necessary tenders and base defense vessels. This corresponds
very closely to the Brazilian Naval program.
- “12. It therefore appears that provided the assumptions
stated in paragraph 2 are correct the principle of
transferring excess naval tonnage to Brazil is sound from
the U.S. point of view and that the naval program proposed
by the Minister of Marine is a reasonable, practical and
well balanced program in the existing international
situation.”
Respectfully yours,
