DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 
WASHINGTON
 
 
June 17, 1939
 
 
My dear Mr. President:
 
 
The following additional information may be of
interest to you in connection with our conversation
regarding the New York Times story that Germany is
constructing a large air base in Bolivia.
 
 
On June 6, 1939 the American Minister in La Paz
telegraphed the Department that the New York Times 
story had been categorically denied by several La Paz
newspapers including La Nacion, the official organ of
the Government. On June 7, 1939 the Minister telegraphed
the Department that reliable sources regarded thls story
as entirely misleading, without foundation, and prejudicial
to our interests in Bolivia.
 
 
         During a conversation wlth the Chief of the Division
of the American Republics, the Bolivian Minister in
Washington spoke at some length about this matter. The 
Minister sald that the Lloyd Aereo Boliviano had been
organized during 1924 and 1925 by a group of German
 
 
businessmen
 
 
 
The President,
 
 
The White House.