825.24/5–1845

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Bowers)

No. 4918

Sir: I enclose for your confidential information a copy of the Department’s note of even date to the Chilean Embassy in Washington, together with a copy of Statement LL–426 prepared by the Foreign [Page 743] Economic Administration showing charges made against the Government of Chile during the period from December 1, 1944 through February 28, 1945 covering defense matériel transferred in accordance with the terms of the Lend-Lease Agreement signed on March. 2, 1943.26a

It will be noted that the charges made against Chile through February 28, 1945 for all defense matériel transferred in accordance with the Agreement aggregate the grand total of $19,276,192.11. To date, two reimbursement payments on account amounting to a total of $5,000,000 have been received from Chile.

In this connection, you are informed that henceforth negotiations for effecting lend-lease collections from the other American republics, including Chile, will be conducted here in Washington between officers of the Department and the respective Embassies. The American Missions in the countries concerned will be kept informed of developments.27 Also, this Government will continue to maintain the policy of requesting reimbursement payments in accordance with the terms stipulated in the Lend-Lease Agreements with the various other American republics.

Very truly yours,

For the Acting Secretary of State:
William L. Clayton
  1. Neither printed.
  2. For a summary of the Agreement, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. v, p. 816.
  3. Instruction 5131, September 4, 1945, reported additional charges of $11,431.48 from March 1 through May 31, 1945, with no additional reimbursement payments (825.24/9–745). See also instruction 5287, December 11, p. 753.