Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The American Republics, Volume VIII

811.24522/11–747

Memorandum by Mr. George H. Owen of the Division of North and West Coast Affairs ^39a

confidential

[ Washington ,] November 13, 1947.

Ambassador Simmons proposes to accompany the Chief of United States Air Mission⁴⁰ in Ecuador on flight to Galápagos and would invite editor Mantilla of newspaper El Comercio to go along, and possibly other prominent Ecuadoran.

Ambassador Simmons believes this to be an opportunity to give good impression of United States participation at Seymour Island base and has so informed General Crittenberger. Propaganda value is enhanced by purpose of flight, viz. to return a doctor who has attended wife of Ecuadoran Commanding Officer.

Ambassador Simmons wishes to know if Department has any objections.

I believe it is good opportunity, as Ambassador says, and strongly recommend advising him to go ahead with trip and using it to create favorable impression desired.⁴¹

1. Addressed to Sheldon T. Mills, Assistant Chief of the Division of North and West Coast Affairs, Robert F. Woodward, Deputy Director of the Office of American Republic Affairs, and Stephen V. C. Morris of the Division of Foreign Activity Correlation.
40. Col. Joshua T. Winstead.
41. A handwritten note at this point reads: “Tel. this sense attached.”