833.248/1–1746

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Uruguay (Sparks)

[Extracts]
secret

20. In conversation January 8, Assistant Secretary Braden2 agreed with General Arnold3 to approve interim allocation of aircraft to armed forces of Uruguay as follows: 8 B–25’s, 15 P–47’s, 4 C–47’s, 3 C–45’s, 5 AT–11’s. Because certain of these types of planes are now in short supply, it may be necessary to substitute other types for them.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Please telegraph Dept whether you approve allocations mentioned above. Subject has been discussed in Dept with Amb Dawson,5 who concurs in allocations, subject to Emb approval. Although you will no doubt wish to consult U.S. military air officers, your decision should, of course, take political and economic factors into account.

The foregoing information is not to be disclosed to Uruguayan officials. For your information questions of procedure on disposal of planes are still to be worked out. Dept will inform you as soon as ground and air force equipment can be made available.

Acheson
  1. Spruille Braden, Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs.
  2. Gen. Henry H. Arnold, Commanding General, Army Air Forces.
  3. Ambassador Dawson departed for the United States on January 12 and resumed charge in Montevideo on March 25, 1946.