Office of the Historian

740.25112A/1–1546

Memorandum by Mr. B. C. Brundage of the Division of North and West Coast Affairs62

secret
[Washington,] January 15, 1946.

Secret Despatch 13,075, November 21,63 from Santiago.

Our Commercial Attaché in Santiago64 has brought up the difficulties which will surely confront this Government should the present trend (of U.S. firms appointing German or pro-German firms in Chile as their representatives) continue.

The last paragraph of this despatch brings in the political aspect of this problem which, while not immediate, could nevertheless be serious in the future. I think that the possibilities of discussing this situation with the Department of Commerce should be explored, with the end in view of taking some such step as Mr. Baldwin advises, namely, that of contacting “leading foreign trade organizations and trade associations with a view to having those organizations educate their members with regard to the undesirability of establishing relations with foreign firms which would again become hostile if the opportunity were presented.”65

  1. Addressed to NWC: Mr. Flack and Mr. Schnee.↩
  2. Not printed.↩
  3. Charles F. Baldwin.↩

  4. Two marginal comments read: “Commerce has already been approached and has agreed to take a stand on suitability of PL firms as agents for U.S. exporters when the opportunity arises. Press release in support of Baldwin’s position now in process of being cleared A. S[chnee].”

    “Also supports position suggested long ago in ARA by Messrs. Butler and Cochran. J. F[lack].”

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