853B.7962/11–1947: Telegram
The Ambassador in Portugal (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
urgent
niact
949. Attention Dunham WE. Had occasion to talk briefly to Foreign Minister at dinner last night. I told him I had received very nice [Page 1047] letter from Dr. Salazar informing me he thought he had found “formula”. Foreign Minister replied, “Yes, we have just finished working over this formula today and I think you will find it satisfactory. Dr. Salazar’s point of view has become much less rigid.” He then added that he wanted to talk to me about it but explained he was not feeling well. He gave me impression that it would be perhaps several days before he could receive me.
I then had occasion to talk to Faria. He volunteered that a satisfactory formula had been found that he was sure I would like. Bianchi too was there. He said the formula provided for continuation without renegotiation for, he added, perhaps twenty years or even longer. (This probably means an “escape clause”.) He said that he was sure wives and children of American personnel could come to Azores.
Please inform Colonel Warren through ATC of foregoing telling him I am going to shoot hard to make it possible to get at least a few families to Lagens for Christmas. He should make tentative plans.