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  4. Document 444

825.6362/6–1147: Telegram

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

secret
Santiago , June 11, 1947—4 p.m.

472. Mytel 438, June 41 and previous correspondence. Foreign Minister2 asked me again today about possibility.3 There is a grave crisis and while the miners have agreed increase output to make up for loss during short strike, the coal in reserve is very short and strike would be disastrous in extreme. With this coal asked in reserve, position of government in dealing with subversive element involved would be greatly strengthened. Government is now compelled resort to rationing coal, and, because coal shortage, to rationing electricity and gas.

Bowers
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Raul Juliet Gomez.↩
  3. i.e., the possibility of U.S. compliance with a Chilean request for coal shipment.↩