Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The American Republics, Volume XI

740.00112A EW/7–1146

The American Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the British Ambassador in Chile (Leche)⁷⁶

Santiago, June 12, 1946.

My Dear Colleague: On March 29 last an interdepartmental press release⁷⁷ was issued in Washington informing American businessmen that before establishing or resuming commercial and financial relations abroad with former Proclaimed List nationals, they might do well to check with the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Department of Commerce and with the Commercial Sections of our Embassies as to the desirability of such relations. The statement went on to say that “such connections with former Proclaimed List individuals and firms, except those who have been deleted from the Proclaimed List without prejudice, would have to be a factor considered in cases arising for the protection of American interests abroad and that while our Government always wall protect the legitimate rights and interests of American business abroad it would not wish to take any action which would assist those who had formerly worked against our vital national interests and who might do so again if opportunity offered.”

I have recently been approached by the Chamber of Commerce of the United States in Santiago with respect to the aforementioned announcement, inquiring as to how such a policy would be applied in Chile. I have replied to the Chamber that as long as the Proclaimed List is continued there could obviously be no business dealings between firms and individuals still on the List; that with respect to those deleted from the List a distinction should be made between those deleted for merit (i.e., those who really should never have been placed on the List or could properly be removed because of reorganizations eliminating obnoxious elements), and those who had not been removed for merit. I said that the Embassy would be glad to supply interested parties with information which would enable them to distinguish between the two classes of former Proclaimed List nationals, but without any desire to dictate to them as to their final decisions.

The American Chamber of Commerce also inquired as to what policy the British and Canadian Governments were likely to adopt in the same premises, and I naturally replied that I did not know. However, I regard the matter of such importance that I am taking this occasion to inquire as to whether your Government has adopted a definite policy on this problem, and if it has not, what your own personal views may be.

I may add that I am hopeful that our Governments will continue to work together as in the past, exchanging information and adopting a common policy as to post-war business relations of British, Canadian and American firms with those firms and individuals who were known not to be friendly to the Allied cause.

Your comments on this matter will be greatly appreciated.⁷⁸

Sincerely,

[

Claude Bowers

]

76. Copy transmitted to the Department in despatch 14185, July 11, 1946, from Santiago; received July 18.
77. See p. 77.
78. In his reply of June 25, 1946, Ambassador Leche indicated his interest to discourage any hasty resumption of relations between British and Proclaimed List firms and individuals (740.00112A EW/7–1146).