825.24/7–2044

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State

[Extract]
Participants: Sr. Enrique Gajardo, Chilean Chargé d’Affaires
Sr. Mario Rodriguez, Counselor of Chilean Embassy
Secretary of State Hull
(Mr. Lyon, Acting Chief of WCA, present)

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(4)
Sr. Gajardo expressed on behalf of his Government appreciation for the Lend-Lease equipment which we had in the past supplied to Chile and left with me the attached memorandum,33 indicating that the Chilean Government wishes to build a network of airfields from the extreme north to the extreme south of Chile. He explained that Chile’s present airfields are totally inadequate for large modern aircraft and that the Chilean Government feels that these airfields are necessary from the point of view of hemispheric defense and might one day be used by the airplanes of the United States. I told Sr. Gajardo that I would be glad to have the appropriate officials of this Government study the question. He said that if these officials were favorably impressed, he would be glad to bring his experts to talk the matter over with them.
(5)
Sr. Gajardo also left with me the attached memorandum33 concerning the desire of the Chilean Government to obtain 15 Douglas airplanes for the Chilean National Air Line. I explained to Sr. Gajardo that I did not know whether these planes were available at the present time but if they were not, I would have the appropriate officials follow the question with a view to giving it all consideration when the planes became available.

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