825.248/9–2544
The Secretary of War (Stimson) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: I refer to a memorandum dated August 7, 194441 from the Department of State to the Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations Division, War Department General Staff, subject: “Interest of Chilean Government in Constructing a Network of Airfields in Chile”, inclosing a memorandum41 submitted to you by the Chilean Air Force Commission.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have decided that there is no necessity for the development of military air bases in Chile at this time. Therefore, I consider that the only direct military interest which the War Department has in the above project lies in obtaining from Chile the right for military aircraft to fly into, through and away from that country.
The potential value of commercial aviation to any future military effort is of course recognized, and to that extent the War Department is interested in the development of commercial bases, both foreign and domestic. However, since the matter of obtaining operating and other rights for international commercial airline expansion, as certificated [Page 686] by the Civil Aeronautics Board, is one in which your Department exercises primary interest, I suggest that the construction of airfields in Chile be approached from the commercial airline standpoint rather than from any military requirement.
Sincerely yours,