852.6363/1026: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Hayes)
Washington, September
4, 1943—5 p.m.
1883. Reference your 2324, August 27, 9 p.m., Department’s point by point comment follows:
- 1.
- Aviation gasoline of 100 octane rating is one of the most precious of all war materials and its use is rigidly controlled. Consequently, we will not approve the supply of this product for the use of the Douglas transports. The Department is reliably informed that Douglas DC–3 transports, which are the planes under reference, can be operated with 87 octane gasoline, which is the type of gasoline we contemplate making available to Spain. It is understood that the allotment of 320 tons monthly also covers the use of these transports in the regular Iberian service and that if Spain does buy the transports Iberia will not necessarily increase its present schedules or inaugurate new services.
- 2.
- The Department concurs in your recommendation since it does not commit us to any specific amount and any increase must receive our approval. In the event that service is inaugurated in Switzerland a review of the current aviation gasoline program would appear to be in order to take care of the additional operations.
- 3.
- The Department agrees that an official statement would be preferable to the actual checking of aerodrome stocks.
- 4.
- The Department understands and appreciates the desire of the Spanish Government to resume air service to the Canaries. However, this is a matter that must be submitted to the Combined Chiefs of Staff. The Department will inform you of their views as soon as possible.
- 5.
- The Department concurs in your recommendation.
- 6.
- The Department is unwilling to include an additional statement that “the American Government will furnish gasoline required for this line and other lines which may be established after mutual agreement …58 once peace has been established.” It is to be hoped that with the return of peacetime conditions the normal commercial processes will be resumed, and hence this Government is now unable to make a post-war commitment to furnish gasoline to a foreign airline or airlines. Hence the Department disapproves of the inclusion of this provision.
- 7.
- This point is covered under paragraph 4 above.
Immediate reply is requested since present schedule calls for loading gasoline at Aruba on September 6–7.
Your 2376, September 1, noon,59 has just been received and in no way affects the Department’s views as expressed above.
Hull