733.35/12–1847
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Ambassador in Uruguay (Briggs)10
At luncheon today at the Naval Air Station near Punta del Este I was seated next to President Batlle Berres and talked with him for something over an hour. The subjects discussed are as follows, and unless otherwise noted were introduced by the President:
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In these circumstances,11 the President declared, he could not view without concern the increased military potential of Argentina. In the event of trouble between Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay would inevitably be involved: Uruguay has 7,000 kilometers of highway (soon to be increased to 10,000) and a modern telephone system. With these facilities and her protected harbors, Uruguay could hardly fail to be involved. Obviously Uruguay cannot aspire to match Argentine military strength, but the President said he had concluded—with great reluctance—that some form of compulsory military training must shortly be established here. But even with compulsory military service Uruguay cannot hope to have a formidable army. The President expressed the opinion that there would be little point in Uruguay’s purchasing, for example, bombers or jet planes, but that he thought it should have a small competent air force and that in particular additional training planes should be made available.
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