740.0011 European War 1939/22299: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:07 p.m.]
989. For the Under Secretary. Last night at a dinner Barros Jarpa amazed me by asking if I thought a recognition of Russia, which he said had already been accorded when Chile’s representative in the League voted the admission of Russia, would be additional proof of [Page 26] Chile’s adherence to cause of the democracies. I countered by asking his opinion as to the effect in Chile. His reply that he does not care about that is in striking contrast to his insistence on the sacredness of public opinion on breaking relations. This is additional proof of his determination to prevent a breaking of relations if possible and is inexplicable to me. He said if we forced a break in relations there will be a bitter reaction against the United States, and I finished the sentence with, “from the Chilean Nazis who love us now”. He admitted that contents of your telegram 649, June 6, 2 [6] p.m. covered in my telegram 953, June 11, 5 p.m. gives him the impression we are pressing hard and the Brazilian Ambassador told me Barros Jarpa had spoken to him about it. The Minister commented on the inability to get certain planes or more Import-Export Bank credits as evidence that we are getting hard on Chile.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Minister of Finance, Matte, says he and his group will win the fight for breaking relations and Barros Jarpa admits majority of Ministers favor it. Also I was told last night by Luis Subercaseaux41 that Gustavo Ross,42 now here, is militantly proally. Am about persuaded that explanation of Barros Jarpa’s attitude is that he and possibly Ríos planned to create a rightist government thus repudiating the parties that elected Ríos and the conservatives and liberals as a whole are against breaking relations.
There is some hope of Barros Jarpa yet in view of his undoubted hostility to Nazis and Japs and should the enemy be caught in some specific act there is a chance he would seize upon it as a pretext and thus break without compromising his prestige.
In the presence of Chileans Cruchaga43 said to me last night, “I am for the United States”.