President Roosevelt to the Ambassador in Chile (Bowers)31
Dear Claude: I have received your letter of January 7, 1944, enclosing’a copy of a telegram to the Secretary of State concerning the proposed termination of the copper control agreement. The situation is, as you say, delicate, particularly in view of the present Argentine and Bolivian political situations. It is, however, important that the copper agreement be terminated if possible or at least be rendered inoperative insofar as are concerned those other American republics which have either broken relations with or declared war on the Axis. You refer to the possibility of Argentine pressure on Chile to furnish copper. Were each country to yield when there is a risk of specific difference with Argentina, unity of purpose or action would be rendered most difficult. I am sure that an acceptable formula to adjust this matter can be found and am relying on you in this.
Very sincerely yours,
- Copy of message obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N.Y. A marginal note reads: “Signed original of this letter sent to the Office of the Secretary of State for delivery by pouch 1/28/44.”↩