Messersmith, G.S., Mexico City. To Laurence Duggan, Washington.
Date
1942-08-14
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Most important single item in program of collaboration with Mexico is rehabilitation of her railroads; sea transport not available except on limited scale for duration of war; Mexico principal source outside U.S. for wide range of raw materials indispensable in defense program, but no point in developing them unless transportation is available; finishing part of Pan American Highway a wise move, but even if finished to Canal, it will not be adequate to move all goods; broad-guage railway available from Laredo to Mexico City and from Mexico City to Veracruz, but from there South it is non-existent or badly in need of rehabilitation; must have means of rail transportation as far south as possible; already having difficulty supplying Canal Zone; Col. Hill doing good job with railroad survey; though various procurement agencies agree that Mexican strategic materials essential to war effort, Army and Navy can't make up their minds that Mexican railwayssystem is of primary importance, and valuable time is being lost; Mexican Government will be unable to finance project; thinks U.S. should be prepared to undertake rehabilitation of railways under Lend-Lease as it will be as much in her interest as in Mexico's; major decision must be made soon; if Army and Navy still stall, thinks Secretary or Sumner Welles should take up matter with President.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.