845A.2547/4–1750

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in South Africa ( Connelly )

top secret
No. 10

Sir: The National Security Council, on September 4, 1948, approved a project to examine the security of certain industrial operations in foreign countries with the objective of determining the measures; which should be taken for the protection against sabotage of such operations as produce materials of strategic importance to the security of the United States. Responsibility for coordination of the implementation of the project was assigned to the Secretary of State.

In the case of South Africa, an examination of the production of metallurgical manganese is contemplated. The objects of such a security study of this industry would be:

1.
To ascertain, if possible, the presence and strength of Soviet agents, Communist parties and Communist-dominated labor unions in the area of the industries;
2.
To determine whether effective industrial security procedures are in force to minimize the vulnerability of the production and shipment of metallurgical manganese to sabotage or subversive activities.

The enclosed memorandum concerns a conversation held in the Department with the South African Ambassador on April 5, 1950,1 in which the interest of the Department was expressed in general terms.

The Department would appreciate the Embassy’s comments on this problem and any information the Embassy may have on the following points:

a.
Have any industrial security surveys of the metallurgical manganese industry been made by government authorities or private concerns? (If such surveys are known to have been conducted, are reports available?)
b.
Are surveys of this industry contemplated in the foreseeable future by the authorities or others?

Very truly yours,

For the Secretary of State:
George W. Perkins
2
  1. Not printed.
  2. George W. Perkins, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs.