825.20/8–744
The Acting Secretary of State to Admiral William D. Leahy, Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy
My Dear Admiral Leahy: Upon receipt of General Marshall’s letter of July 2717 concerning request for military assistance to Chile in the event of attack by Argentina, I informed our Ambassador at Santiago that while the Joint Chiefs of Staff would be prepared to make available certain United States military forces, they felt it important that Brazil join any action of the character envisaged. I told the Ambassador that as Chile had not asked for assurances of protection, we were reluctant to take this matter up with the Brazilian Government unbeknownst to Chile. I suggested two alternatives to Ambassador Bowers:
- (1)
- That we let the matter rest at the present stage, without consulting with officials of the Chilean Government; or
- (2)
- That he discuss this question with the Foreign Minister of Chile, indicating the views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
I pointed out to him that it was our own feeling that the possibility of an attack by Argentina on Chile was remote, and furthermore, in the event of an attack, it was our opinion that cooperation by Brazil would be forthcoming almost automatically; hence it might be wiser not to discuss at the present juncture with Brazil the question of assistance to Chile and thus avoid the possibility of a very disturbing effect being created in other of the American republics should these facts, in spite of all precautions, become known.
Ambassador Bowers has now replied that the Chilean Government is grateful for our position but prefers that nothing be said to Brazil at the present time as Chile would be reluctant to have its fears known by others countries. The Foreign Minister stated that there would be no objections to our consulting with Brazil in the event that an attack seemed an immediate prospect but would prefer to have the arrangement kept secret between Chile and the United States as long as it is possible or safe to do this.
[Page 113]I feel certain that you will understand the position which the Chilean Government has taken, and with which this Government is in entire accord.
Sincerely yours,
- Not printed; General Marshall wrote that certain limited military forces could be made available in the event that Paraguay or Uruguay were attacked by Argentina and if Chile were placed in a similar circumstance, the same forces could be made available to it (725.35/7–2744).↩