Office of the Historian

CH–18. Letter from President Eisenhower to President Alessandri1

Washington, February 28, 1959
Dear Mr. President:

Ambassador Muller has handed me your letter of January thirtieth,2 which I have read with great interest and sympathy.

I appreciate the seriousness and extent of the economic and fiscal problems confronting you. It is gratifying to note that in facing up to these problems you attach great importance to a free enterprise system and monetary stability in your plans for Chile’s future. Surely these concepts must be the basis of any economic program which holds promise of realizing the better life, in freedom, that we earnestly desire for our peoples. In particular, I am convinced that in Chile, as in many other developing countries, a successful attack on the causes of inflation is essential to steady economic growth.

It is not surprising that the Communists are seeking to create difficulties for your program. Since these men abhor freedom, they will surely endeavor to thwart the efforts of the Chilean people to achieve that full spiritual and material life which can only be realized in a free society.

You are to be congratulated, Mr. President, on the effective steps you have taken to inform the people of Chile of the high purposes of your program. I am confident the Chilean people, whose fine qualities and dedication to democracy are so rightly admired, will support your enlightened and courageous efforts in their behalf.

I am sure that you are fully aware of the economic assistance extended to Chile by the United States in the past. I am taking steps to see that the economic problems you outline [Facsimile Page 2] in your letter are brought to the attention of the appropriate officials of this government who will be glad to discuss sympathetically with your officials mutual problems of economic and financial interest.

I deeply appreciate the confidence you have demonstrated in providing me with the full and candid exposition of Chile’s problems which your letter contains. Please be assured, Mr. President, that I will follow closely your efforts to bring stability and prosperity to Chile, for these objectives are important to the people of the United States.

With expression of my high esteem,

Sincerely,

Dwight D. Eisenhower
  1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Project Clean Up, “Chile.”↩
  2. See Document CH–16.↩