PORTUGAL The Minister from Portugal has requested the advice of the Committee concerning the supply ef certain fixed coastal defense armament. His request was for eight 6" batteries of 2 guns each and four 9" batteries of two guns each, together with other ammunition and equipment. An estimated cost has been given to the Minister and a preliminary analysis of the problem provided for transmittal te his government. RUMANIA The Rumanian Minister visited the office and stated that he was having difficulty in buying 18-20 tons of electrolytic copper and 100 tons of aluminum, and asked our help to locate a supply of these materials for him. Contact was made with the local representa- tive of the Aluminum Company, but no success was achieved in per- suading them to sell this aluminum to the Rumanians. As to the copper, the local representative of the National Association of Manu- facturers located a stock in Baltimore, and this information was transmitted to the Minister. Although the Aluminum Company would not sell, the Committee was able to give the Minister a list of dealers in so-called "secondary" aluminum, obtained by remelting scrap. The names of these firms were also obtained from the National Association of Manufacturers, who have cooperated very satisfactorily in all matters referred to them. In the course of conversation with the Minister, it was learned that a considerable shipment of field shoes, trucks, ethyl fluid, aviation oil, tin and antimony has been bought and will be shipped on a Rumanian vessel from Chester, Pennsylvania, on November 20th. This information was furnished to the Division of Controls, State Department. VENEZUELA Another conference was held with the Venezuelan Minister and his Military Attache concerning airplanes. They desire to pur- chase one training bomber, three basic training planes and six primary training planes. The names of firms best in a position to supply these needs were given to the Minister. -4- |