832.24/2928a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery)
Washington, April 27,
1944—8 p.m.
1349. Arguments have been advanced that Brazil’s need for trucks is not as great as has been pictured and the following circumstances are offered in support:
- 1.
- Brazil’s failure to take advantage of the offer contained in Department’s 1035, March 31.87 (WPB has so far refused to release these trucks for domestic use but has agreed to give consideration to a Brazilian request, if sponsored by FEA and the Department);
- 2.
- Mack Truck Corporation has asked that it be relieved of its Brazilian truck allocation since its distributor has been unable to move trucks on hand since 1942.
- 3.
- White Truck Company stated that it wanted no Brazilian allocation because their distributor believes additional units would be difficult to sell.
- 4.
- Several hundred Lend-Lease trucks intended for local use (and not for BEF)88 are said to be still in Brazilian warehouses unused.
Efforts are being made to secure for Brazil minimum of 5000 trucks in 1944. The outcome is very doubtful and the foregoing prejudices must be overcome before further progress can be made.
Hull