833.24/1204
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War (Stimson)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: You will recall that in my letter of January 17 and Mr. Stettinius’ communication of February 1222 the [Page 1598] hope was expressed that the War Department would give sympathetic attention to the possibility of delivering to the Government of Uruguay an additional quantity of the military equipment requested by that Government under the provisions of the Lend-Lease Agreement concluded in 1942.
Since then the Uruguayan authorities have renewed their requests. The Uruguayan Ambassador has submitted to me, under instructions from his Government, a note dated April 3,25 a copy in translation of which is enclosed, stating that it is urgently necessary to equip Uruguay adequately in order to enable that country to assist the United Nations in maintaining political stability in this hemisphere.
I have reached the conclusion that for important reasons of policy it is essential to render appropriate assistance to the Government of Uruguay which, notwithstanding the immediate neighborhood of a stronger nation in which activity opposed to the United Nations and to hemisphere defense continues to exist, has maintained a consistently friendly and cooperative attitude. In view of this situation I should greatly appreciate it if the War Department would give prompt and favorable consideration to the Uruguayan request with a view to furnishing such military equipment as can be used to best advantage by that country.
Sincerely yours,