832.24/1326a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery)
Washington, February 11,
1943—midnight.
520. In view of report that until July 1 the Brazilian Military Arsenals are working only 8 hours a day and 26 days a month, the War Production Board has informed the Department that pending the receipt of further information as to immediate need, it is holding up the shipment of copper destined to the Brazilian Arsenals. Please cable the Department as soon as possible the answer to the following questions: [Page 619]
- 1.
- How much Chilean copper actually arrived in Brazil pursuant to the sale of 2,621 short tons of electrolytic copper to Merry del Val Company for Brazilian Ministry of War.
- 2.
- How much copper actually arrived in Brazil pursuant to the fourth quarter 1942 allocation of 1,320 short tons to the Lend-Lease Administration for account of the Brazilian Military Arsenals.
- 3.
- What are the present copper and zinc stock piles of Brazilian Arsenals.
- 4.
- Is the lack of materials the reason for Arsenals’ working only 8 hours a day.
- 5.
- Does the Directorate of War Material plan any increase in the production schedule of the Arsenals if the necessary materials were available.
- 6.
- What are the Embassy’s comments.
Hull