Reference (a): Conference with Honorable Harry Hopkins, General Somervell, Colonel Gross and Rear Admiral Land on February l4, 1942. The War Department has submitted the request for the immediate assignment by the maritime Commission of the following four (4) passenger vessels required for military movement: URUGUAY, SANTA LUCIA, SANTA CLARA and SANTA PAULA. The War Department proposes to furnish three (3) oassenger vessels (making a total of 7), as follows: - PANAMA, PRESIDENT MONROE and QUEEN ELIZABETH.(British). The military movement also contemplates the assignment of approximately 16 cargo vessels. We have also received a request from the Department of State looking to the assignment of two passenger vessels for the transportation of various Axis officials and non-officials from Latin American countries to the United States, and a third passenger vessel for the transportation of these officials to Lisbon. The same vessel would return to the United States, American officials now awaiting transportation. The same vessel would subsequently perform similar voyage to and from Lourenco Marques (American and Japanese interchange). For this interchange of diplomats, etc. the War Department proposes to furnish two of the three vessels required, namely, the ETOLIN (Army Transport).and the ACADIA (maritime Commission charter assigned to Army). The third snip is the S.S. BRAZIL which it is proposed should make the trip from the United States to Lisbon and upon completion of thattrip make a second trip from the United States to Lourenco Marques. |