that the Government would have to satisfy them by at least demon-
strating every effort had been made to obtain merchant vessels.
  Since Santos of course has the final decision I recommend any
proposal the Department may care to make be based on his state-
ment to me and if at all feasible include as definite a proposal as
possible looking to the delivery of one or two merchant vessels.
  The Standard Oil Company of New Jersey representative has not
been informed of my conversations with the President and Minister.
                                                         BRADEN


800.85/525: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Asmbassador in Colombia (Braden)

                            WASHINGTON, January 17,1942-3 p. m.
  60. Your 38, January 9, 3 p. m. and your despatch no. 3468, January
3, 1942.78 Maritime Commission suggests the following: That Colom-
bia take over the Italian tankers and deliver them to the Commission
which in turn agrees to full and just compensation for the Italians in
accordance with the principles of international law.
  The Commission is unwilling to agree to the suggestion of arbitra-
tion. There is no objection either on the part of the Department or
the Commission to Standard Oil's negotiating with the Colombian
Government for these tankers. It is not yet definitely known whether
the Commission will be able to make available any cargo vessels for
Colombia. It is therefore suggested that you do not go beyond your
previous statements on this subject.
  If you perceive objection to replying to Colombians in this sense
please report to the Department together with such recommendations
as you may have in the premises.
                                                            HULL

800.85/561: Telegram
The Amrbassador in Colombia (Braden) to the Secretary of State

                                  BOGOTA, February 9,1942-6 p. m.
                                             [Received 9: 30 p. m.]
  166. My telegram 154, February 6, midnight.79 Turbay 80 before
leaving told me today that he was instructed by the President to pro-
pose in the Subcommittee of the Inter-American Economic Advisory
Committee that the Italian tankers be turned over to the United

  78 Latter not printed.
  INot printed.
  ' Gabriel Turbay, Colombian Ambassador in the United States.



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